MANCHESTER United boss Louis van Gaal was unwilling to confirm reports the club have agreed to sign Angel di Maria for a British record fee after his side managed just a draw at Sunderland.

Winger di Maria bade farewell to his Real Madrid team-mates yesterday, according to Real boss Carlo Ancelotti, who had earlier said di Maria wanted to leave.

Spanish newspapers reported last night agreement had been reached with Real for United to pay £60million plus add-ons for Di Maria, and said the Argentina international would fly to Manchester today.

But Van Gaal said: "When a transfer has been finished then we can say something."

Van Gaal still awaits a league win since taking charge of United, although he saw his side pick up their first point at the Stadium of Light.

Juan Mata fired the visitors in front, but Sunderland's summer signing Jack Rodwell capitalised on woeful defending to head home Sebastian Larsson's corner on the half hour and ensure the points were shared.

Having lost to Swansea at Old Trafford on the opening weekend, Van Gaal feels his side still lack the final pass needed to score.

"In the first half we played an equal match with Sunderland. We didn't create so much but scored a fantastic goal," he said.

"But then we've already warned our players they don't have to give a lot of set-pieces away, and we gave a lot of set-pieces away and they scored out of a set-piece, so that was disappointing.

"We played much better in the second half and could have created more but in the last third we lacked creative passes.

"We were more dominant than in the last match, but you have to win your game at that moment and we couldn't."

Van Gaal also criticised the decision to book Ashley Young for simulation after going over Wes Brown's leg in the second half, although did admit the winger's action was "exaggerated".

The manager said: "He was free at the ball, he lifted the ball across the player and the opponent is kicking him.

"After that he was jumping too much, but what counts is he was kicked and then the referee can give a penalty.

"He was tackled in my opinion, but after that he was exaggerating. But it is not diving because he was touched by the opponent."