Angel di Maria has had a torrid first season at Old Trafford but the Manchester United star might take some police that fans bought shirts bearing his name more than any other player in the Premier League this season. And it was not even close.
According to retailers Sports Direct, who sell Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Liverpool, United, Manchester City, Tottenham and Newcastle shirts, Di Maria’s is the name asked for by almost one in 10 of fans in stores.
His tally of 9.59%, is more than than next three players combined, which are Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez with 3.8 per cent, Chelsea’s Diego Costa with 2.27 per cent ahead of Di Maria’s United team-mated David de Gea on 2.16 per cent. When was the last time you saw a goalkeeper on the list of top selling shirts?
It are these sort of numbers that show why Manchester United will not sell Di Maria this summer. He is too valuable to them as a commercial property.
Belgium and Chelsea star Eden Hazard is in fifth place followed by United pair Wayne Rooney and Radamel Falcao – another South American import who is struggling to adjust to life in the Premier League.
MLS-bound Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard is in eighth place followed by Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero in ninth while another United striker, Robin van Persie, completes the top 10.
There was a lot of talk during the international break about who are the biggest clubs in England. Five of the top ten selling shirts in England this summer have been Manchester United players. Chelsea is the only other club to have more than one player on the top ten list, and they have two.