Armed raiders attempted to smash their way into the home of Manchester United footballer Angel Di Maria.

The offenders fled empty-handed though when an alarm was sounded at the Argentinian winger’s address in Prestbury, Cheshire.

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: “At 7.30pm on Saturday, police received reports of a burglary at a house in the Chelford Road area of Prestbury.

“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.”

The Sun newspaper reported that Di Maria, 26, was having dinner with his wife and young daughter when the raiders tried to smash through patio doors with scaffolding poles.

Di Maria joined Manchester United from Real Madrid last year and played in the club's 3-1 Premier League home victory over Leicester earlier on Saturday.