Who is Matteo Darmian, the full-back set to join MUFC?

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  • Darmian's imminent move to United will give him a chance to shine on a bigger stage.

    During the “silly season” that is the summer transfer window, there are occasions when a deal is struck that appears to make perfect sense for all concerned. That certainly applies to the news that Manchester United are to pay around Dhs 73 million (€18m) for Torino and Italy full-back Matteo Darmian.

    At 25, the player has outgrown his current club, but they will receive a fine sum in return, while the Premier League outfit are adding a proven international performer at the peak of his career. In addition, Darmian will get a chance to shine on a much bigger stage, his former club have not strengthened one of their Serie A rivals and he also fills a clear need within Louis van Gaal’s squad.

    In short, it is a transfer that makes perfectly logical sense for all three parties, and that feeling only grows stronger when analysing the defender a little more closely.

    Born in Legnano, he is a graduate of the Milan youth sector, Carlo Ancelotti handing him his first-team debut for the Rossoneri as a 16 year old back in 2006. There were no shortage of role models for him there and he was coached early in his career by Franco Baresi and the father of his future international team-mate Ignazio Abate. Primarily used as a central defender at the time, training regularly alongside the likes of Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta could not fail to boost the confidence of the obviously talented youngster.

    By 2007-08 he had become captain of the club’s Under-19s side, but like others in that team he was never truly given a chance to prove his worth at San Siro. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was among the same group of players, and like the Borussia Dortmund star, Darmian was forced to leave Milan in search of playing time. He spent time with Padova and Palermo, helping the latter to a runners-up spot in the 2011 Coppa Italia and enjoyed a short Europa League campaign under Delio Rossi before arriving at Torino in the summer of 2011.

    He would help the Granata earn promotion to Serie A in his first campaign, prompting them to eventually buy him outright, with Palermo earning a quick Dhs4.1 million (€1m) profit on the Dhs5.3m (€1.3m) they in turn had given to Milan for the player. Darmian’s return to the top flight was solid if unspectacular, but his real breakthrough came in the 2013-14 campaign, as the club enjoyed one of its best seasons in recent memory.

    In a move that undoubtedly played a part in Van Gaal’s desire to pursue the Italian, Torino boss Giampiero Ventura abandoned his favoured four-man defence to implement a 3-5-2 formation, deploying Darmian as a wing-back for the first time. He adapted seamlessly to the new role, and while attacking duo Ciro Immobile and Alessio Cerci grabbed the goals and the headlines, only six teams conceded fewer goals as Torino earned a Europa League berth.

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    As they returned to continental action for the first time in 12 seasons, Darmian was at the heart of that new-found defensive solidity, playing on both flanks and even in the back three on a number of occasions. Unlike many of his contemporaries on the peninsula, he did not start life as a winger, meaning his natural inclination at full-back is to stop the opposition rather than bomb forward.

    That makes him subsequently more intense and attentive, with Cesare Prandelli recognising his ability and taking him to the World Cup last summer. He made his international debut against England in Manaus, and was one of the very few players involved in that match to return from Brazil with his reputation intact. Playing as an orthodox full-back on both flanks, he turned in three excellent performances, and has continued to shine for the Azzurri under Antonio Conte, his versatility seeing him fill a variety of roles for the national team.

    Unlike many of his contemporaries on the peninsula, he did not start life as a winger, meaning his natural inclination at full-back is to stop the opposition rather than bomb forward

    Returning to domestic action, he was arguably even more impressive in 2014-15, playing at a consistently high level and stepping up to shine even more brightly during Torino’s Europa League adventure. Indeed, his ten appearances in that competition saw him weigh in with two goals and three assists, impressing a wider audience once again and showcasing the attacking contribution he makes every time he steps on the field.

    Comfortable in possession, he is happy to take on his man, often cutting in-field to good effect when playing on the left but able to cross proficiently with both feet. An intelligent passer, Darmian is a player who is aware of his limitations and never tries to over-complicate his play, keeping things simple and routinely making the correct decision in any given situation. His move to full-back was in part due to his height – standing just under six feet tall – but he is effective in the air too, and the Old Trafford faithful need not worry about opponents taking advantage of him there.

    Darmian won 55 percent of the aerial duels he contested last term while making an average of 2.5 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game last term according to figures from WhoScored.com. Another noteworthy statistic is the fact he was only booked four times in 43 appearances, testament to both his excellent timing and calm demeanour. Those traits saw him linked with Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Juventus and Napoli, but now English giants Manchester United appear to have sealed a deal for one of Serie A’s most accomplished players just as he enters the prime of his career.

    “He is an extraordinary player who will want to try to win the Champions League one day,” Torino President Urbano Cairo told La Stampa recently, and with smart acquisitions like Matteo Darmian arriving at Old Trafford, United might help him accomplish that dream.

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