Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has surprised everyone by stating that Matteo Darmian has been bought as a back up to Antonio Valencia.
Matteo Darmian completed his proposed A?12.9 million move to English giants Manchester United on July 11th.
The player had featured in THTa s Italian Serie A Team of the Season and was widely acknowledged as the best full-back in Serie A last season.
. Darmian a back up to Valencia
However, the reputation that Darmian gained at Torino seems to have had no affect on Louis van Gaal as it appears from the quotes below.
Van Gaal said: “We have brought Darmian for the second position behind Valencia and now already because of injury, (Paddy) McNair has to play there.”
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville had praised the right back in a tweet, earlier.
Neville tweeted: “I like the Darmian signing. Watched him a lot in planning for Italy. If he can transfer his form and settle in then he will be very good.”
Inter Milan legend Marco Materazzi had also labelled Darmian as the best wing back in Italy and said he was outstanding during the 2014 World Cup.
Darmian has been playing for Serie A side Torino since 2011 and has made over 130 appearances for the side since then. The Italian international can play is the central defense as well, having started his career as a centre back at A.C. Milan, making his Serie A debut at age 17.
Manchester United fans might have thought that he has come as first choice, but, for Louis Van Gaal, clearly, the player has to earn his place in what was seen as a priority area that needed a new signing from the club.