DI MARIA HUMBLED BY FIFPRO WORLD XI HONOUR

Angel Di Maria says it was “truly humbling” to be voted
into the FIFPro World XI at the Ballon d’Or awards
ceremony earlier this week.

The Argentinian attended the event in Zurich and witnessed
former Real Madrid team-mate and ex-Reds winger
Cristiano Ronaldo collecting the premier prize, but his
inclusion in the World XI, as voted by more than 20,000
professional players, was a huge honour.

“It was a privilege and an honour to be named in the
FIFPro World XI at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich on
Monday,” Di Maria told ManUtd.com. “To be named among
the world’s elite players is truly humbling.

“Since I was a young boy, all I have ever wanted to do is
play football, so to receive awards like this is an added
bonus. It was a great night and I’d like to thank everyone
who voted for me.”

The 26-year-old helped Real Madrid to La Decima (a record
10th success) in the Champions League and starred for
Argentina in the World Cup before his summer move to Old
Trafford and, talking earlier to ManUtd.com , says he wants
to help put United back at the top of the game.
"From the start of the season to now, you can see we've
grown," he says. "We weren't great at the beginning but
we've started getting a few victories under our belts.

“There are some people saying that we're not playing in a
particularly good style or that it's not the old Manchester
United - but it's not. We're beginning something new here.

We've got a new style, we've got a new manager and
we're all working hard to make sure we're putting
Manchester United back where it belongs."

DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR ROONEY

Manchester United’s Player and Goal of the Month winner for
December, Wayne Rooney, has told ManUtd.com he was
pleased with his contribution over the festive period and
hopes to maintain his good form as the Reds look to go on
another unbeaten run…

Congratulations on your two awards, Wayne. How do you
look back on your form in December, which included a
number of goals and assists?
It’s always a tough month, December, and, as a player and
a team, you have to dig in because it’s physically
demanding. I thought we did well as a team and I scored a
few goals from my role in midfield. It’s always great to get
on the scoresheet and to create a few goals was also nice.

December is always a testing time but is it a period you
enjoy when there are games every few days?
Not every two days no! [Laughs]. Of course, it’s great to play
games and it’s great for the fans over the Christmas period
to be able to go and watch their team play. As I said, it’s
physically demanding so the recovery we do is always the
most important thing to make sure we’re right and ready for
the next match.

The manager played you in midfield for the majority of
the matches – how much have you enjoyed being in a role
where you’re in amongst everything from the first whistle to
the last?
It’s different obviously but it’s a role that the manager has
given me and it’s one that also gives me license to get
forward. You have to make sure you do your defensive
duties as well because it’s an important position on the
pitch. I’ve tried to do that the best I can. Hopefully, I can
keep doing that and keep learning and improving.