Angel Di Maria: Winger 'fits the bill' for Manchester United says Gary Neville

Argentina international set for move to Old Trafford

Angel Di Maria in action in the Spanish Super Cup for Real Madrid (GETTY IMAGES)

Gary Neville has given his approval for the impending arrival of Angel Di Maria at Manchester United, saying the winger "fits the bill".

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed the Argentina international is on the verge of a move away from the European champions.

Di Maria is reported to be closing on a big-money move - thought to be around £60m - to Manchester United and did not attend training with his Madrid team-mates at their Valdebebas training base on Sunday morning ahead of their league opener against Cordoba on Monday night.

The 26-year-old turned down a new contract with Los Blancos this summer and asked to leave the club despite Ancelotti revealing Madrid wanted to keep the former Benfica man.

Louis van Gaal has been desperate to bring in new players this summer, particularly after the opening day defeat to Swansea. Neville, who spent his entire playing career at Old Trafford, believes Di Maria is the exact kind of player that is needed.

"He can run and Manchester United haven't got any pace in wide areas. It is incredible," Neville told Sky Sports.

"That is what the club has been built on for the last 10 to 15 years - being able to get from box to box quickly, being able to spring on teams, having people that can dribble and are quick in the final third.

"They have Adnan Januzaj but they really have lost that variety."

Neville continued: "Last year the signings didn't fit the bill for me in terms of what United are and the philosophy. This fits the bill if they can get Di Maria.

"The fans say a central midfielder or a centre-back is needed more, but I don't see any difference with a winger in that they need all three.

"This is the first part of that - the correct signing, if they can get him."