When he first arrived as a young 25-year-old, many expected Matteo Darmian to rule the right-back spot at Manchester United for years to come. But despite a great start to his career with the Red Devils, things haven’t gone right for the now 29-year-old.
The former AC Milan youth star has warmed the bench for most of the past three years, with Jose Mourinho and even Ole Gunnar Solskjaer preferring Antonio Valencia.
That’s partly why the Guardian has reported that Italian giants Juventus are keen on bringing the 29-year-old back to Italy. The Old Lady have been among Darmian’s top suitors and with Manchester United activating a one-year option (via the Standard), it allows the Premier League giant to re-coup the £12.7 million they paid back in 2015. It did come as a big surprise back when the club signed the 29-year-old.
However, having been impressed with Matteo Darmian’s performances with Torino the season before, the Red Devils paid what the Serie A side asked. He soon won the fans’ adoration, with steely performances as a right-back, thanks in part to his defensive nous and excellent positional sense. But what went wrong for the Italian and Manchester United that caused him to make a mere 52 appearances over the last three years?
Injuries played a small part in that but the 29-year-old was dropped repeatedly even when fully fit and itching for a chance to prove himself.
That simply shows how much he is valued at the club and now with Diogo Dalot’s presence and subsequent rise under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, there is no longer a place for the Darmian. Manchester United need to let the 29-year-old go because keeping him makes no sense for either side.
If Darmian does leave, Antonio Valencia would be their other option and at 33, he isn’t going to be an option for much longer. But at the moment, having a player that is clearly unhappy and pushing for a move is damaging for the entire teams’ morale. That is something United cannot afford especially since they are back in the race for a top-four spot, thanks to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
With Juventus after him once again, after the Italian giants were touted with a move in the summer window, maybe it’s time the club let Matteo Darmian go and flourish once again in the Serie A.
