The Man Utd fans in the Football Transfer Tavern thought he looked good last season…
Matteo Darmian has had a disappointing second season in Manchester, and has been largely regulated to the bench under Jose Mourinho.
With Antonio Valencia preferred by the Portuguese boss, Darmian has only received minutes in cup competition thus far – and as a result, his future has been under question by the punters in the Football Transfer Tavern.
He has long been linked (Radio CRC via Sky Sports) with a Man Utd departure, with sides in his native Italy reportedly keen – but there was always one key stumbling block in any potential deal. Man Utd are not built with defensive depth, and if Darmian were to leave – Mourinho would likely have been concerned that he was lacking depth at the back.
However, according to the Times, this is no longer an issue – with Mourinho viewing Fosu-Mensah as a long-term solution at the back.
Whilst Valencia is a short-term option, Mourinho seemingly sees Fosu-Mensah as the man to take over the reigns, perhaps as early as by the end of the season, and as a result – Darmian is no longer needed.
The difference maker, it would seem, is that Fosu-Mensah signed a new long-term contract with United recently, and with his long-term future now sorted; Mourinho can afford to part with the Italian fullback.
It has been a disappointing fall from grace for the Italian. After impressing during his opening weeks in Manchester, a post-Christmas slump forced him out of the team towards the end of the campaign; and it would appear that Mourinho cannot rely on a player as inconsistent as himself.
Our landlord thinks that it is refreshing, at least, to see Jose Mourinho giving a young Englishman an opportunity.
Man Utd fans – thoughts?
Let us know below!
