Darmian's Road To United

Matteo Darmian is an established Italy international who really caught the eye at the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.

Despite only making his Azzurri bow in a friendly against the Republic of Ireland at Fulham's Craven Cottage on the eve of the tournament, the Torino defender was named in Cesare Prandelli’s squad and started all three group matches.

It was in the opening fixture with England that he really stood out, producing an outstanding performance and causing plenty of problems for Leighton Baines when linking with the attack.

Such stellar form earned him an award for Italy’s best international player, which he received in early 2015, and he looks certain to have a long career with the national team at right-back.

At domestic level, he started out as a centre-back with AC Milan and was handed his debut in a Coppa Italia tie against Brescia as a raw 16-year-old. Unable to break into the Rossoneri’s long-established defence, he later joined Serie B side Padova on loan before switching to Palermo in 2010.

Although he accrued experience of European competition in the Europa League, he decided to drop down a division again with Torino, initially on loan, after only one injury-affected term in Sicily.

Establishing himself as a regular with the Granata, and clinching promotion back to Serie A in his first year, the Legnano-born prospect made at least 30 appearances in each of his four seasons with the club.

Reckoned to be one of Europe’s most dynamic full-backs, his ability to get forward to good effect is allied to plenty of defensive nous.

Compared to the legendary defender Antonio Cabrini in some quarters, Darmian will become the fifth Italian to represent the Reds' senior side after Carlos Sartori, Massimo Taibi, Giuseppe Rossi and Federico Macheda. The only other United player to sign from Torino was master marksman Denis Law in 1962.

Credit: manutd.com