Agent Confirms Definite Interest in Manchester United Target Di Maria

Angel Di Maria's agent has fuelled speculation suggesting his client is set for a Real Madrid exit after revealing a number of clubs are looking to sign him amid reports of interest from Manchester United and Monaco.

Despite playing an instrumental role in Carlo Ancelotti's side in the opening months of the season, Di Maria is now facing the prospect of missing out on first team football as the partnership between Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale explodes into life after the Welshman's initial fitness struggles.

Ancelotti has stressed on numerous occasions his desire to retain the winger, having allowed Mesut Ozil to leave the club at his expense in August. The Italian believes Di Maria is still happy with life in the Spanish capital, but his agent Eugenio Lopez has opened the door to a possible January move with his latest comments.

Speaking to Radio La Red, Lopez said: "He has a contract in place until 2018 and many clubs want him."

In addition to the number of options ahead of him in the first team pecking order, another source of Di Maria's discontent is reportedly the winger's relationship with club president Florentino Perez. Given the club's expenditure over the summer that included the world record arrival of Bale, Isco and Asier Illarramendi for fees in the excess of £130m, it is suggested the Real Madrid may be under pressure to sell.

"There is a presidential angle to this but I will not talk about it," Lopez concluded with.

Manchester United's limitations in wide areas have been exposed this season with 18-year-old Adnan Januzaj often the club's most inventive source from a wider position. Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia have again struggled with consistency, fuelling speculation that Moyes may seek to address those shortcomings in January.

The Premier League champions would face competition for the Di Maria if an exit from the Bernabeu were to materialise with Monaco manager Claudio Ranieri also a fan.

The ambitious Ligue 1 club were reported to have agreed a €35m offer in principle for the former Benfica star, but the deal was quickly rubbished. However, Ranieri did admit the winger is a player he would be interested in signing.

"Indeed, he is a player I am interested in," Ranieri said at the weekend. "But I don't think he will join us. It is just rumours."