Sunderland boss Gus Poyet says Manchester United's deal for Angel di Maria shows the giants have not fallen too far.
Speaking after his Sunderland side's 1-1 draw with United on Saturday, Poyet backed under-fire Louis van Gaal to reshape the fortunes of the Old Trafford club after a disappointing start to the season.
"I know Van Gaal very well and if you give him time, he is going to achieve what he has promised, I have got no doubt," he said.
"It's a different Manchester United, without any doubt. It was strange to see them playing with three at the back after watching Manchester United for 20 years with a different system.
"The good thing for me and the strong thing for me is he is going to buy players to play in that system, and that's a great advantage.
"When you have that opportunity, it gives you the chance to then not have any excuses, and I am sure that Louis van Gaal is looking for that - 'Give me the players to play this system and then it's up to me', which is great."
