Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville believes that the signing of Angel di Maria will benefit Juan Mata rather than force him out of the Red Devils team.

Real Madrid winger Di Maria is expected to complete his British-record transfer to Old Trafford shortly after a reported £59.7m fee was agreed between the two sides.

Some critics have suggested that the Argentine's arrival will restrict Mata's opportunities to perform in his preferred central role, but Neville has claimed that the ex-Chelsea playmaker will excel with Di Maria playing off him.

"I think that he'll improve Juan Mata," Neville told Sky Sports News. "I think Mata relies on people running past him - he manipulates the ball, he shifts the ball from side to side but then he relies upon the runs.

"I think the fact that United aren't playing with a particular deal of pace in the team at the moment isn't helping him at all, even though his goal record from a central position is good.

"He isn't any good out wide, that's why he left Chelsea. He had assurances he was going to play in central areas and that's part of the reason why Louis van Gaal is playing the system he's playing - to get [Wayne] Rooney, [Robin] Van Persie and Mata into the team. Now we'll see how he integrates Di Maria into the team."

Mata cost United £37.1m when he moved across the Premier League from Stamford Bridge in January.