Scout report: What can Italy right back Matteo Darmian offer Manchester United?

Matteo Darmian is Italy’s right back and on Manchester United’s radar

When heavily linked to a player who is compared to the Italy’s favourite son, a master defender and captain who had defined Italian football for over two decades by the name of Paolo Maldini, it is difficult for Manchester United supporters to not be excited about the potential arrival of Matteo Darmian. Apart from the comparison and his position on the field, there’s very little Manchester United and Premier League fans know about Darmian, especially if they aren’t followers of the Italian Serie A.

Who is Matteo Darmian?

Position: Left/Right back

Age: 25

Current Club: Torino

Darmian started his youth career at Italian giants AC Milan at the age of 10 and made his debut with the first team at 16. Over the next three seasons, he captained the AC Milan U-19 side, finding it hard to break through into the first team. His performances in the reserve league didn’t go unnoticed, as Darmian played a combined 23 games for the Italian U-17, U-18 and U-19 sides, playing as first choice right-back at the UEFA U-19 European Championships.

The following season, Darmian was loaned to Serie B side Padova for first team football, starting regularly and aiding Padova’s survival in the league. At the same time, Darmian continued to move up the ranks in international football, becoming a regular for the U-20 Italian side and even playing an U-21 game.

His performances eventually led to Palermo taking on the player after a co-ownership bid. The 2010/11 season with Palermo was when the 6-foot defender really came into his own, playing in the Serie A and the Europa league competitions.

Matteo Darmian first created waves with impressive performances at Palermo

Moving on loan to Torino, who were in Serie B at the start of the 2011/12 season, Darmian played on 34 occasions, helping Torino get back into the Serie A. Palermo bought over Milan’s share in the ownership and sold 50% and playing rights to Torino, allowing Darmian to feature for the newly promoted side in the 2012/13 season. It led to Torino’s survival and the eventual relegation of Palermo by virtue of goal difference.

The following season, Torino achieved UEFA Europa League qualification, finishing seventh, with Darmian missing only one league game all season. Before the latest season, he took part in Italy’s World Cup campaign, featuring in all three of their games. The 2014/15 season was a series of firsts for Darmian, scoring his first European goal in a UEFA Europa League match, followed by his first goal in the Serie A.

He featured 47 times for Torino, domestically and in Europe, and has amassed 13 caps for the Italian side.

Darmian’s strengths and what he can offer Manchester United

With a reported fee of 12.7 million, Darmian seems to be headed to Old Trafford and contend for the starter role at right-back. His challengers, injury-prone Rafael and Antonio Valencia, have both been linked with a move away from the Manchester club and it will be interesting to see if Darmian is thrown straight in the deep end, or if he fits in the pecking order behind Rafael and/or Valencia.

With supposed long-time target Nathaniel Clyne moving to Liverpool for a similar amount, Manchester United’s approach for Darmian could prove to be good business. Darmian’s ability to play at left-back will certainly keep the likes of Daley Blind and Luke Shaw on their toes too.

Darmian is a complete defender, having the ability to not only run with the ball on the wings but also find the right pass to start off an attack. With United manager Louis van Gaal preferring defenders who can play the ball from the back, the Italian fits into that philosophy perfectly. Rafael and Valencia, especially the latter, have trouble finding a player with a cross or playing a one-two with the midfield and forward line, which is an ability Darmian has shown in the Serie A.

Matteo Darmian has regularly played more than 30 games a season in the Serie A in the past four years with Torino

His versatility is his ultimate selling point, as the defender can be played on either wing in the traditional four-man defence and as either wing-back in Van Gaal’s favoured three-man formation, while also providing adequate cover in the centre. Valencia and Rafael had a tough time fitting into the Dutchman’s system last season, which won’t pose a problem for Darmian.

The judgement of a defender’s signing should come on the basis of his defensive ability and Darmian’s defensive ability has no visible faults – having an abundant amount of strength and power, coupled with quickness to run down the flanks. There is also no doubt he can win a ball as he made the most tackles per game (5.3) across Europe's top five leagues in the 2012/13 season.

On the other hand, the defensive ability of both Antonio Valencia, a converted right-back, and Rafael, an overeager attack-minded defender, have been questioned in recent seasons. Darmian has been a true engine for the Torino side over the last three years and should also remain fit for longer than Rafael.

If the comparison with Maldini wasn’t enough to get the expectant Manchester United salivating over the Darmian’s defensive ability, this time last year, he was being compared to yet another one of Italy’s best defenders of all time, Antonio Cabrini. All in all, Matteo Darmian should prove to an excellent acquisition for Manchester United, who are coming closer and closer to building a rock-solid side that can challenge for the Premier League title.