ANGEL DI MARIA hit back yesterday at claims that he wanted to leave Real Madrid before his British-record £59.7 million transfer to Old Trafford.

The Argentinian winger signed the big-money five-year deal on Tuesday.

The transfer fee smashed the previous record of £50 million, which Chelsea paid for Fernando Torres in 2011.

Di Maria has sent an open letter to Spanish paper Marca, making it clear it was “never (his) desire” to leave Madrid.

“As anyone who works, I’ve always wanted to progress.

“After winning ‘La Decima’ (Real’s 10th European Cup), I went to the World Cup with the hope of receiving a new contract, which never came.

“Many things and many lies were spoken.

“They always wanted to attribute the initiative to me to leave the club, but that was not the case.

“The only thing I asked for is something that would be fair.

“There are many things that I value and many of them have nothing to do with my salary.

“I hope to progress at Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world, where I wish to make history.”

United boss Louis van Gaal has heaped praise on his new player, comparing it to his signing of Arjen Robben for Bayern Munich in 2009.

“Maybe you remember when I was trainer-coach of Bayern Munich, I bought Arjen Robben, also in late August,” he told reporters.

“He could also play on the wings and inside so then I have always the opportunity to change (tactics) but that is a process.”

But the Dutchman wouldn’t be drawn on whether he would change his formation to accomodate the new star, warning: “You cannot click your fingers and switch to another system. You are working and have to train with it.”

Di Maria said he was “delighted” to be joining the Red Devils.

“There were a lot of clubs interested in me, but United is the only club that I would have left Real Madrid for,” he said.