---
title: "Manchester United: Barcelona add Matteo Darmian to list of left-back options"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-barcelona-add-matteo-darmian-to-list-of-left-back-options/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Uways Nisar"
section: "Manchester United Football Club"
published: "2019-07-30T14:30:29Z"
modified: "2019-07-30T14:30:29Z"
---

# Manchester United: Barcelona add Matteo Darmian to list of left-back options

**Matteo Darmian could be set for a shock move to Barcelona after the Catalan giants were said to have put the Italian on a list of targets for left-back, [according to ESPN](https://www.espn.co.uk/football/soccer-transfers/story/3908499/sources-man-uniteds-darmian-on-barca-radar).**

[![Football Writers' Association: Opening the Door to BAME Journalists](https://cdn.footballleagueworld.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/FWA-Inblogs-Ad-mob-1.png)](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/football-writers-association-opening-the-door-to-bame-journalists-tickets-64426612733)

Darmian is said to be a low-cost alternative to [first-choice targets](https://www.espn.co.uk/football/soccer-transfers/story/3908499/sources-man-uniteds-darmian-on-barca-radar) Junior Firpo, Philipp Max and David Alaba.

David Alaba was the club’s first-choice target, but [Bayern Munich](https://www.espn.co.uk/football/soccer-transfers/story/3908499/sources-man-uniteds-darmian-on-barca-radar) are refusing to discuss terms with the club.

It is thought manager [Ernesto Valverde](https://www.espn.co.uk/football/soccer-transfers/story/3908499/sources-man-uniteds-darmian-on-barca-radar) wants a new left-back signed before the club flies out for their pre-season tour of Miami next Monday.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

A move for Darmian wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world after he made just [seven appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/matteo-darmian/leistungsdaten/spieler/54906/plus/0?saison=2018) last season, despite the club’s struggles in defence as they conceded a [club-record](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/8909198/manchester-united-conceded-most-goals-premier-league-season/) 54 goals in the [Premier League.](https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/clubs/goals_conceded?se=210)

However, a move would seem strange from Manchester United’s perspective especially with the lack of out-and-out left-back cover for Luke Shaw. [Ashley Young](https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/ashley-young-signs-one-year-contract-extension-at-manchester-united) remains at the club after signing a new contract last season, but he is predominantly a right-footed player, despite having played [left-back in the last few seasons.](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ashley-young/leistungsdaten/spieler/14086)

Despite just playing seven games all of last season, and a move away looking likely after being left out of the squad for the [Kristiansund friendly](https://thepeoplesperson.com/2019/07/29/romelu-lukaku-and-matteo-darmian-not-included-in-manchester-united-trip-to-kristiansund-208131/), Manchester United should do all they can to retain the services of the 29-year-old.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

There is a real lack of depth in an [already weak defence](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/754045/Man-Utd-have-HUGE-weakness-under-Ole-Gunnar-Solskjaer-that-teams-will-expose-Aldridge), and with the club doing all it can to bring in [Harry Maguire](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1159284/Man-Utd-Harry-Maguire-Transfer-News-Leicester-Manchester-United) and [Bruno Fernandes](https://www.espn.co.uk/football/soccer-transfers/story/3907647/live-transfer-talk-man-united-close-on-70m-bruno-fernandes-deal) in the remaining week or so of the window, there seems little time to focus on buying a replacement left-back if Darmian leaves.

With regards to Young, he showed last season that he couldn’t even perform well in his natural right-back position, so to trust him as a backup left-back could go horribly wrong. Young was one of the players singled out during the club’s hammering at the hands of [Barcelona in the Champions League](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/8856512/ashley-young-man-utd-captain-right-back-chris-sutton/).

Unless Manchester United can get a replacement in for Darmian, who has played at left-back 55 times in his career ([via Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/matteo-darmian/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/54906)), he is still needed by the club, who should do all they can to retain his services.

**Manchester United fans, should the club keep hold of Darmian? Join the discussion by commenting below!**