Winners of the FIFA/FIFPro World XI 2014, as voted for by over 20,000 professional players, pose with their trophies during the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2014 soccer awards ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich January 12, 2015. Pictured are back row (L-R) A
Winners of the FIFA/FIFPro World XI 2014, as voted for by over 20,000 professional players, pose with their trophies during the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2014 soccer awards ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich January 12, 2015. Pictured are back row (L-R) Arjen Robben, Angel Di Maria, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Front row (L-R) Manuel Neuer, Sergio Ramos, Philipp Lahm, Toni Kroos and Andres Iniesta. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

Manchester United's £59.7m summer import, Angel Di Maria, has spoken to the club's official website about his appreciation of the fact that he has been chosen in the annual FIFAPro World XI at the recently held Ballon d'Or celebrations on Jan.12 at Zurich. He has also extended his full support towards the new style of play employed by manager Louis van Gaal.

The Argentine attended the event in Zurich where his former teammate from Real Madrid Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded as the best player of the last season. He himself was voted into the World XI by more than 20,000 other professional footballers. "It was a privilege and an honour to be named in the FIFPro World XI at the Ballon d'Or ceremonay in Zurich on Monday," Di Maria expressed his gratitude to manutd.com when asked about the occasion before the match against Queens Park Rangers.

Di Maria, 26, has had a stellar last season for his club Real Madrid as well as his country Argentina. He was instrumental in his club winning their tenth Champions League crown and Argentina reaching the final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Unfortunately he was injured to play the finals which his country lost.

In another recently given interview to MUTV he has openly come out in support of the style of play that his Dutch manager Louis van Gaal is employing this season. "There are some people saying that we're not playing in a particular good style or that it's not the old Manchester United- but it's not. We're beginning something new here", Di Maria clarified his stance on the matter.

To be fair, Manchester United have been going through a transition with the arrival of the new manager. To compound his problems, injuries to key personnel have stalled the progress of the team. They are in the fourth place at the present moment and are one of the favourites to finish in the UEFA Champions League places come the end of the season.

To contact the author of this article email a.biswas@IBTimes.com.au

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