Matteo Darmian has only played five competitive games for Manchester United, but manager Louis van Gaal believes that the Italian international has already proven that he is a bargain buy.
Darmian joined the Reds in July from Serie A side Torino and has already cemented his position as first-choice right-back with a series of consistent performances in the Premier League as well as in the Champions League.
The 25-year old has also become a fan favourite at Old Trafford, with some anointing the Italian international to be the successor of club legend Gary Neville – given that the right-back role has been in a state of flux since his retirement.
When quizzed by reporters whether Darmian’s transfer fee (reportedly £12.7 million) illustrated that the quality of the player mattered more than his price tag, van Gaal said: “Yes, I am very happy that you discovered this because I didn’t read that when the deal was announced.
“He was not a big player in Italy, he was a rising star. He is a late developer, but it is true, the market of a player is difficult to describe.
The Dutchman added: “A profile of a full-back is that first he has to defend and then secondly that he has to build up. Thirdly, he has to attack and give an option to his fellow players in front of him. A player like Juan Mata, who is playing there, needs that fellow player. The full-back has to give him options so that Mata then also has more options. That is the profile of a full back of Manchester United.”
Darmian is expected to start today against Swansea City in the Premier League, and he will be matched up against in-form Ecuadorian winger Jefferson Montero, who the manager says will provide a tough challenge for him. “He has to play on Sunday against Montero, who is a very good player, so it shall be a big test for him. Until now he has fulfilled my expectations of him,” van Gaal said.
