Di Maria is the most talented player at Manchester United, says Rojo

EXCLUSIVE: The defender has backed his compatriot after a difficult first season at Old Trafford and believes Real Madrid target David De Gea is one of the world's best goalkeepers
 Marcos Rojo believes Angel Di Maria remains the “most talented player” at Manchester United despite his frustrating first season at Old Trafford.

The Argentina star was signed for a Premier League record £59.7 million from Real Madrid last summer and impressed in his first appearances in a United shirt.

A wonderful chipped effort in the 5-3 defeat to Leicester City in October marked a high point in his early-season form but he has since struggled for consistency, and spent the final weeks of the season on the bench.

Rojo, who is likely to start alongside Di Maria when Argentina take on Paraguay in the Copa America semi-finals, remains confident his class will eventually shine through.

“For me, the player with the most talent at Manchester United is Angel,” Rojo told Goal. “There are great players at the club, but Angel for me is one of the best in the team and in the world.

“It has been a difficult year for him. He had some problems adapting, but that’s normal. Any player coming to a new country and a new league has to adapt to the differences and that’s what happens. But I’m sure he will do really well in the months ahead.”

It promises to be another summer of transition at United, with the club having already completed the signing of Dutch winger Memphis Depay from PSV.
There are also likely to be several players heading through the exit door – one of whom could be current No.1 goalkeeper David De Gea.

The 24-year-old was named in the PFA Team of the Year for 2014-15 but is yet to extend a contract that expires next summer and has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid.

“If David is not the best goalkeeper in the world today, then he is very close,” Rojo admitted. “He has adapted really well to the Premier League this past year.

“He is at an incredible level – I see him day, in, day out and he is an outstanding goalkeeper. As I say, if he is not the best in the world today, he is very close. I am very happy he is being recognised because he is a great goalkeeper.

“Ever since I came to the club he has treated me as a brother. I’m very happy for his present moment and whatever lies ahead for him, I wish him the best.”

Despite injuries limiting him to 22 league games, Rojo enjoyed a positive first season at United, operating at both centre-back and left-back for Louis van Gaal.

The defender, 25, says he has adapted well to life in Manchester and joked that the manager, whose end-of-season awards speech went viral, was not always as stern as he can seem on the touchline.

“The manager is good fun sometimes,” Rojo said. “[The awards night] was a moment we enjoyed together with the team. They are different moments where you can enjoy yourself away from a football pitch or a training session. It’s important to enjoy those moments as well.
“I feel very good. I’m very happy, the club is incredible and the people I have met here are fantastic. My wife and my daughter have helped me a lot. They are always by my side and everything has been easy.

“The language is a little difficult but I am keen to learn. I take classes all week because I like it, I’m interested and I would love to learn it quickly to be able to communicate with my team-mates and with the fans. That will help me in my adaptation as well.”

Rojo will have little time to rest over the summer months due to his inclusion in Argentina’s Copa America squad.

The Albiceleste were beaten by Germany in last year’s World Cup final but will have another chance to win a major tournament if they can defeat Paraguay in Tuesday’s last-four clash.

“The Copa America is a very demanding tournament,” Rojo added. “There are great teams, players with so much quality who play for some of the best clubs in the world. That’s what makes it so attractive. It’s a very fast and attractive football – and that’s what makes the Copa interesting.

“I have the best sensations for the Copa América and high hopes as well. We want to go as far as we can and, if possible – and this is the desire of all Argentines – winning the title would be something very special to mark an era after reaching the final of the World Cup last year.

“Now we have a chance for some revenge in this Copa. We want to play a great Copa and to achieve our objective which is the most important thing for us and for Argentine football.”