Arsenal are eyeing PSG star Di Maria as a replacement for Alexis Sanchez, who is wanted by both Manchester clubs this month.
Yet Spanish website Don Balon say the north London giants face a fight persuading the Argentina international to sign on, with memories from his nightmare time at United still on his mind.
The Red Devils splashed out £60million to sign the player from Real Madrid ahead of Arsenal in 2014 in Louis van Gaal’s first season in charge.
A bright start then followed with Di Maria blossoming on his Old Trafford debut against QPR and then producing a stunning chip in a memorable 5-3 defeat to Leicester at the King Power Stadium.
But as the wheels came off on United’s season, they did the same with Di Maria’s time in England.

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A break-in at his family home scarred the Argentinean and Van Gaal’s brutal man management style also saw his performance levels dip.
Eventually, United sold him to PSG after just 12 months with Memphis Depay arriving as his replacement.
And despite flattering to deceive in England once before, Don Balon say Arsenal now want to bring the PSG star back.
Unai Emery’s side need to offload several players to balance the books following the arrivals of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in the summer.
But whether Di Maria can be persuaded to give the Premier League another go remains to be seen.
Part of him wants to stay at PSG because he believes they have a genuine shot at winning the Champions League this season.
Yet other offers also appeal more than Arsenal’s.
Atletico Madrid and Valencia are also in the mix for his signature but Barcelona, who tried to land him in the summer, are not expected to renew their interest.