Manchester United appear to have finally solved their right back problem, bringing in Matteo Darmian from Torino.
The 25 year old flew under the radar despite performing solidly for Turin’s second side, but this summer his hard work was rewarded with a £12.7m move to Old Trafford.
Making his debut in United’s win over Club America on Saturday morning, Darmian was solid if unspectacular but there is much more to come from the player that has dominated his flank whilst in Serie A, winning more tackles per game than any Torino team-mate last season whilst creating the joint-second-most scoring opportunities.
A product of AC Milan’s academy, the Italy international can cite some of football’s finest as his tutors.
Upon joining AC Milan as a 10 year old, Darmian was viewed as a midfielder but dropped back to centre-back and when he failed to grow sufficiently shifted to right back (funny given that this mirrors Gary Neville’s start in the game, after the former United captain hinted at the similarities between them both on Saturday).
Darmian claims that his heros followed his changes in position going from Seedorf to Nesta to Maldini and he believes he has picked up bits from each as he told Gazzetta dello Sport in January:
“To say that I tried to steal something from them would be pretentious. Let’s say that Clarence taught me what personality is, Sandro elegance and Paolo professionalism.”
If this is the case United may have the signing of the season on their hands, a snip at £12.7m.
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