Darmian Reflects On Positive 6 Months

Matteo Darmian has described his first six months as a Manchester United player as "a very important new step in my career."

The Italy international arrived at Old Trafford in July and has caught the eye during the first half of the campaign as he has settled into life, after swapping Serie A for the Barclays Premier League.

The 26-year-old has featured on both flanks at full-back and while a couple of injuries have kept him sidelined for parts of the season, he has become an important member of Louis van Gaal's squad.

United Review, the official matchday programme at Old Trafford, sat down with Matteo ahead of Saturday's meeting with Southampton as the Italian reflected on a very enjoyable, positive opening to his Reds career.

When asked to sum up his time at the club so far, he declared: "A very important new step in my career has started. I tried to enter straight away into the English mentality and into the group here, and I must thank everyone... all my team-mates who immediately made me feel at home and make it easier for me.

"I think it has been a positive six months. When a person moves, like from Italy to England, for any type of move or transfer of this type, it is never easy but I have to say again it has been a positive six months."

Darmian has featured in all four of United's games in 2016 which have led to three wins and a draw. The full-back says the Reds are focused on continuing the recent good run of form and despite a tough few weeks during December, insists the spirit in the squad is as strong as ever.

"We’ve had a period where things haven’t gone that well. We have, however, done well to not break apart and remain united as a team and now we are picking up again," he added. "We’ve played some good games and won so our confidence and self-esteem has increased and we hope to carry on in this way."