Angel Di Maria won't quit Manchester United for Barcelona

The Argentinian joined the Red Devils for a British-record £59.7 million in the summer but, after a promising start to his career in England, injury and a loss of form saw him finish the season on the bench.

That has prompted some talk of a move away, with reports in Spain suggesting Barcelona are set to make an audacious move for the forward who only left arch-rivals Real Madrid 10 months ago.

But Di Maria, currently at the Copa America with Argentina, has stressed he will stay and fight for his place, despite revealing he is in an "uncomfortable" position.

"I started well with goals and assists," he told Argentinian newspaper Ole. "I was having a good time, until I was outside (of the first team). It's a little hard to explain why I do not play."

Asked if he was uncomfortable, he added: "'Yes, for me and my family. Because not everything goes as I want, because I don't play. I came with an intention and ended up on the bench. It's hard to say how I feel there.

"No (I will not leave) because I'm not thinking like that. In Madrid there were times when I was whistled around the stadium but I faced it and then it turned around. I like to deal with things.

"I've demonstrated what I do for several years."

It hasn't really happened for Di Maria at Manchester United so far, but that does not mean it can't happen for him this season. He looks far too impressive a figure to continue struggling. If United are going to mount a serious challenge to Chelsea and City next season, they need the creativity and pace that a man like Di Maria can offer. His real strength remains in providing passes for goals - he provided five assists and three goals from seven matches in central midfield - but he will need to prove to Louis van Gaal that he can do more in his own third of the park. The defensive shift is a key strand of any team operating at such a level. Still, it will be reassuring to Van Gaal and United to hear that Di Maria is willing to stay and fight for his place in the team.