United Tracking £15m Two-Footed CB, Who Wins 5.3 Tackles Per Match

Manchester United are reportedly monitoring the progress of Torino defender and Italian international Matteo Darmian. Darmian who was a member of the Italian squad to the just concluded FIFA world cup in Brazil is said to be under United boss Louis van Gaal’s radar who has been scouting him in a bid to strengthen his defence line. This comes as no strange news as LVG is seemingly desperate to sign a defender in the right back position. Hence the Torino defender is seen as a viable target for a January swoop.

Reports claim LVG has had him scouted a few times and intends to price him away from his employers at Torino for a fee said to be in the region of £15million. 24 year old Matteo Darmian originally started off his career as a centre back but now primarily plays both sides of the pitch (Right back mainly). This seems to be Darmian’s main selling point as LVG has been known to prefer versatile players position wise. Matteo also uses both feet well and is not afraid to go into a tackle, as a matter of fact he had the most average tackles per match (5.3) in Europe’s top 5 leagues in 2012-2013 season.

With the boss being increasingly unsure of Brazilian defender Rafael at the right back position, Darmian might just be the support needed to bolster the defence.

Meanwhile news floating around suggests Manchester United might not be looking in one direction as soon to be out of contact Barcelona right back Daniel Alves may be making the switch to Old trafford. Although Alves is a more marketable and tested brand, Darmian provides a younger and much cheaper long term option also considering his versatility. It has also being suggested in some quarters that Alves may have signed a pre-agreement to move to united at the end of the season but the Italian looks a more sensible option economically.

Why United need Darmian.

Its an obvious fact that Manchester United has lingering issues in defence, which has prompted the use of players with a great wealth of inexperience like Tyler Blackett who until the start of the season had not played in a league game. This coupled with the earlier stated reason concerning Rafael provides us with enough insights into Man United needs at the back. Darmians versatility in defensive positions is a plus for him moving to a bigger club ( Man United in this case) and an added advantage for Manchester United who need a blend of youth and experience to help solidify the defence.

Manchester United’s recent injury woes at the back with Phil Jones,Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans all with one injury or the other must have prompted the attempt to purchase the Italian. This report if trust underlines LVGs recent comments and shown his intention as he stated that Manchester United need the will to kill games, and sincerely no one does that with a porous and injury plagued defence. A typical example is the shocker at Leicester City where Manchester United were in control for most of the game,and even with a two goal advantage the red devils defence line always looked succeptible to attacks and eventually fell like a pack of cards to a lowly and relatively unknown leicester frontline.

I can authoritatively say that uniteds recent performances can be attributed to a dangerous attacking lineup rather than a strong and effective defence line. Furthermore, matteo darmians arrival would likely spark off needed competition for places at the back. Considering his stellar performances for Torino which eventually earned him a call up to the national team, and a fee of around£15million (if eventually he is sold) I see the torino man in the starting lineup for united. This would see him face the task of fitting in to the EPL and ultimately uniteds style of play as fast as possible. Well fans and bookies would need to wait till the January floodgates open for them to find out how this reported interest eventually pans out.

Till then we keep our fingers crossed.