Former Manchester United star Angel Di Maria believes Zlatan Ibrahimovic is as good as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is just as good as Lionel Messi and Cristano Ronaldo, according to former Manchester United winger Angel Di Maria.

Di Maria, 27, has played with both Messi and Ronaldo while competing for Argentina and Real Madrid, and has linked up with Ibrahimovic since joining PSG from United.

The prolific Swedish striker, who Arsenal have been linked to for several years, is generally placed in the bracket of players just below Messi and Ronaldo.

But Di Maria believes Ibrahimovic deserves to be recognised alongside the two global icons.

‘I’ve played with Messi, Ronaldo, Rooney and now Ibra,’ the Argentine told Le Parisien.

‘His technique and movements impress me. He’s at same level as Leo or Ronaldo.’

Manchester United: Angel Di Maria cites Louis van Gaal as reason for Old Trafford departure

Angel Di Maria has revealed that his incongruity with manager Louis van Gaal was a major reason behind his decision to leave Manchester United this summer. The former Real Madrid man joined Paris Saint-Germain after a long drawn transfer saga which started in the second half of last season.

The Argentine revealed that it was difficult for him and his family to adjust to life in England as it was very different from how he used to operate in Spain and Portugal. The midfielder struggled for form through the length of the season for which he was relegated to the bench on occasions, something which further put a block on his development.

Di Maria's house in Manchester was also broken into, which put fear into the hearts of his family. This ultimately led him to take the decision of moving to Paris, which he finds more convivial. The midfielder will begin his Champions League campaign with PSG on Tuesday against Malmo, something he missed during his time with the 20-time English Champions.

"Honestly, we were not happy," the winger told Le Parisien, as quoted by Goal. "At the beginning, we were a little. But then things became complicated. Life in England was a bit difficult. It is not easy for a South American. Some people get on fine, and for others it is harder to adapt.

"I didn't get on very well with the coach, so I think the decision to join Paris was the best solution. After [the break-in] it wasn't reasonable to stay. My family wasn't happy. My daughter was suffering. So it was important to leave.

"After the end of the Premier League, I went to the Copa America. It was at that moment that I started to see that the possibility of joining PSG was real."

The midfielder was heavily linked with a move to Paris last summer but the deal broke down owing to FFP restrictions, which led the player to come to Manchester. Di Maria alludes to the incident and claims that it has always been his destiny to ply his trade in the French capital.

"But even last year, before joining Manchester, I could have signed for Paris. It didn't happen for reasons you already know [Financial Fair Play restrictions on PSG]. But I believe it was my destiny to end up at Paris.

"From the little I have seen, our life here in France resembles more the life we led in Spain or Portugal. And at the moment we are 100 percent satisfied," he concluded.

'Van Gaal killed Di Maria at Man Utd!'

Former PSG star Edouard Cisse believes the Argentine winger will thrive under Laurent Blanc in the French capital after his struggles under the Dutch coach at Old Trafford

Edouard Cisse has attacked Louis van Gaal's management of Angel Di Maria, insisting the Manchester United boss "killed" the Argentine winger during his time at Old Trafford.

The 27-year-old completed a £44.5 million move to the Ligue 1 champions in the summer transfer window and made his debut in Sunday's 3-0 win over Monaco, where he appeared as a second-half substitute.

And Cisse, who played over 150 league games for PSG during a 10-year spell with the club, has backed the former Real Madrid star to flourish under Laurent Blanc after struggling to make an impact in his one season for United.

He told Canal +: "He was a little short of sharpness in Monaco, but that's normal. He will bring rhythm and an ability to cut into defences. 

"He will have a good manager. One of his best seasons came under [Carlo] Ancelotti. Van Gaal killed him. He must be left to express himself, he's an artist. Laurent Blanc will manage him and he'll have a very good season.

"The other objective for PSG is to stay unbeaten all season. It's never been done before in France. To motivate the players, it's an interesting challenge. Week after week, they would find new desire.

Louis van Gaal killed Angel Di Maria! Former West Ham midfielder slams Man Utd boss

EX-WEST HAM midfielder Edouard Cisse has blasted Louis van Gaal - saying the Manchester United boss killed Angel Di Maria.

United signed Di Maria for a British record £59.7m last summer but sold him to Paris St-Germain after a dismal debut season in the Premier League.

Di Maria, 27, hit out at Van Gaal following his move to the French club, claiming the Dutchman's "philosophy" forced him out the club.

Despite being dumped to the bench last season and starting pre-season late due to Copa America commitments, the Argentine set-up a goal on his debut for PSG against Monaco.

"He was a little short of sharpness in Monaco, but that's normal," Cisse, who spent the 2002/03 season at Upton Park, told Canal+. "He will bring rhythm and an ability to cut into defences.

“One of his best seasons came under [Carlo] Ancelotti. Van Gaal killed him.”

Edouard Cisse

"He will have a good manager. One of his best seasons came under [Carlo] Ancelotti. Van Gaal killed him.

"He must be left to express himself, he's an artist. Laurent Blanc will manage him and he'll have a very good season.

"The other objective for PSG is to stay unbeaten all season. It's never been done before in France.

"To motivate the players, it's an interesting challenge. Week after week, they would find new desire."