Angel di Maria will embrace fellow Argentina team-mates in tunnel... but he will have 'no friendships on the pitch' when Manchester United take on Manchester City in the derby

The sight of City and United players embracing before kick-off in Sunday’s derby may make Roy Keane wince, but ask Angel Di Maria to explain his attitude and it is clear warm hellos do not translate to soft minds.

Di Maria is one of five Argentines likely to start at the Etihad and having shared together a World Cup that came agonisingly close to ultimate glory, he believes a few handshakes can be forgiven.

‘When we see each other in the tunnel before games, I think it’s right to say “Hi” and greet each other - whether it’s an ex-team-mate or a good friend,’ reasons United’s record signing. ‘I think that’s normal, as long as you remember that you fight for the club and the shirt once the 90 minutes start. We must all remember there are no friendships out on the pitch.’

Manchester United pair Angel di Maria (left) and Marcos Rojo and Man City defender Pablo Zabaleta (right)

The Argentine trio were taking part in an event ahead of the Manchester derby on Sunday an Di Maria insists he will embrace his fellow countrymen in the tunnel before the game but he 'has not friendships on the pitch'

Argentina star Angel di Maria (left), who has reinvigorated Manchester United, tries to beat Nemanja Matic

MANCHESTER'S SOUTH AMERICANS 

NINE South Americans are likely to feature in the Manchester derby. It would be more if Radamel Falcao was not injured.

ARGENTINA (5)

City: Sergio Aguero, Martin Demichelis, Pablo Zabaleta

United: Angel di Maria, Marcos Rojo

BRAZIL (3)

City: Fernandinho, Fernando

United: Rafael

ECUADOR (1)

United: Antonio Valencia

That last statement is one Keane and all fans in either corner of Manchester can agree upon. ‘We know it’s a very important match for the city of Manchester,’ adds Di Maria. ‘We will be doing our absolute best to make sure the red half is happy at the end of the game.’

Di Maria, 26, should be joined by Marcos Rojo, with Pablo Zabaleta, Sergio Aguero and Martin Demichelis in opposition. They all live in the leafy outskirts of Manchester - Prestbury, Alderley Edge, Hale - but he has yet to go out for a meal with the men he reached the final in Brazil beside.

‘Sure if you do win there will be plenty of stick given out - and banter post match. But the real reason you want to give everything on the field in a game like this is so that your own fans go away happy.’

This is Di Maria’s first derby for his new team but he knows the intensity and fierce pride taken when two sides of a city collide. Rosario Central, his first club, share ferocious battles with Newell’s Old Boys situated little more than four miles away. Di Maria played in two; winning one, losing one.