Darmian Reveals Major Impact On Career

Matteo Darmian admits the experience of playing at the 2014 World Cup gave him the confidence to make rapid strides in his career, leading to his transfer to Manchester United.

In an exclusive interview with the November edition of Inside United, the official club magazine which hits the shops on Tuesday, our cover star discusses his road to Old Trafford in great depth, recalling the steps he took along the way from a youth-teamer at AC Milan to first-team star with the Reds.

The astute summer signing won our first Player of the Month award of the season after adapting well to life in the Barclays Premier League. Last weekend, Darmian scored his first international goal for Italy in a 3-1 win over Azerbaijan that confirmed qualification for Euro 2016. But it was his surprise inclusion in the Azzurri's World Cup squad that thrust the right-back into the global spotlight.

Darmian's consistent performances for Torino earned him the call from national team coach Cesare Prandelli on the eve of the tournament and started all three of Italy's matches in the tournament.

"Everything happened very quickly," Matteo tells Inside United. "It gave me confidence, of course. Playing in a World Cup means you are competing against the strongest teams in the world and also the strongest players. So, on a self-esteem level, it gives you more certainty and security."

The move a year later to United was clearly another major moment in Darmian's career as he accepted a fresh challenge of playing in England. "I used to watch the Premier League on television and it was well known that it was perhaps one of the best leagues in the world," he explains. "So, when I got the call from United, I didn't have to think twice about it at all.

"For me, it was a big step in my career and a really big opportunity, personally, which I didn't want to let slip away. Of course, Manchester United are one of the biggest clubs, not just in England but the whole world. Because of the history as well, all these factors made it an easy decision for me."