The 29-year-old, made captain this season, has impressed under Louis van Gaal in a withdrawn role behind one or two forwards, with eight goals in 16 Premier League appearances.
Di Maria - a British-record €75 million summer arrival - has been impressed by Rooney's work rate, admitting that he has been most surprised by the England skipper.
"Rooney is an impressive player," Di Maria told Radio America. "He plays 90 minutes in every game. He is always committed, giving everything in every match.
"He has this quality, mentality and this hunger to play every game that is incomparable. He has surprised me the most, with his hunger and how he commits to every game. He is a player that deserves to be here."
After moving on from Real Madrid in the summer, Di Maria is revelling in the affection offered by the vast United support.
"Thank God I have the opportunity to be at big clubs," he enthused. "Things are going better for me, I got better. Being in big clubs makes you get used to these things. It makes you proud to be succeeding, that they want you so much. It fills me with pride when they sing my name or 'Argentine, Argentine'."
Next up for Di Maria and United is Sunday's visit of Southampton to Old Trafford.
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