Thieves foiled at home of Man United star Di Maria: reports

London (AFP) - Burglars made an unsuccessful attempt to break into the home of Manchester United winger Angel di Maria at the weekend, according to British media reports on Monday.

The Sun newspaper said that Di Maria, 26, was having dinner with his family at his home in Prestbury, northwest England, when a group of thieves tried to smash through the patio doors with scaffolding poles.

They fled when an alarm sounded.

"At 7:30 pm (1930 GMT) on Saturday, police received reports of a burglary at a house in the Chelford Road area of Prestbury," said a spokesperson from Cheshire Police.

"A number of offenders tried to gain access to the property by trying to smash the back door. The alarm was raised before the men got inside and they fled the scene."

Argentina international Di Maria joined United from Real Madrid in a British-record £59.7 million ($90 million, 79.4 million euros) transfer last year and played in their 3-1 win over Leicester City on Saturday.