Di Maria’s last laugh at Man Utd after Boos,booze and bruises

He was booed relentlessly by Manchester United fans and had bottles thrown at him – but Angel Di Maria ultimately had the last laugh on his return to Old Trafford.

The Paris St-Germain winger is unpopular with some United fans after underachieving in one season at the club – but assisted both goals as the French champions won 2-0 in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie in Manchester.

His evening did not get off to a good start.

“He got booed getting off the coach even way before he went to warm up on the pitch. So it started early from United fans,” French journalist Julien Laurens told BBC Radio 5 live.

It looked like his evening would come to a premature end in the first half when he suffered an injury after Ashley Young shoved him off the pitch and into a metal barrier.

The Argentine was able to continue after treatment, but PSG boss Thomas Tuchel was not happy.

“[Young] was lucky,” said Tuchel. “He knows there is a hill going down. There was no need to push him into the fence. I am happy there was no big injury.”

Di Maria also missed a glorious chance when he hit a shot straight at David de Gea – and was thankful to see the offside flag raised.

“He had a hard time in the first half,” said Tuchel. “The guy is very competitive. If you tease him, it does not make him weaker.

“I thought he had a good relationship with the fans. He was a bit nervous and needed to be calmer in the first half.”

Di Maria went on to have a big impact in the second half, providing two vital assists, the first a corner that picked out Presnel Kimpembe to smash home from close range.

As PSG celebrated, he screamed at the United fans.

“After the corner there were a few words thrown at the crowd,” said Laurens.

“I can understand his frustration. It’s not nice to be booed on your old ground when you don’t feel you’ve done anything wrong. It didn’t work out. I don’t think he expected that reception.”

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