There have been a lot of rumours surrounding the future of Manchester United’s Matteo Darmian and this started while Louis Van Gaal was still at the club. The Italian had a great start to life at United and it looked like he had adapted very quickly to the Premier League. However, his struggles soon started and the injuries didn’t help either. There is always an uncertainty whenever a new manager comes in and many have been speculating that Darmian might be heading back to the Serie A. Over the course of the season, many youth players were called up to the first team and played at right back such as Donald Love, Guillermo Varela, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and of course the more experienced Antonio Valencia. History looks at Mourinho has a manager who hesitates to use youth. So, if United do sell Darmian, these are 3 replacements they can sign:
1. Matthias Ginter-
The 22 year old German is currently plying his trade at Borussia Dortmund. He made 39 appearances over the season playing primarily as a right back. He is a very able passer of the ball and his delivery is excellent. He also likes to get forward. This shows with his 4 goals and 5 assists last season. His disciplinary record is also exemplary as he didn’t pick up a single card throughout the course of the season. He’s also very young and should have a very bright future ahead.
2. Serge Aurier-
The Ivorian plays for Paris St. Germain currently. He’s strong in the air and has immense concentration. This helps his defending as he’s a strong tackler. He also likes to get forward whenever he can. He’s a good dribbler and passer of the ball. He’s a threat from indirect ser pieces. He was involved in 6 goals, 3 scored and 3 assisted, for PSG over the season. He didn’t commit a single defensive error in the 21 games he played for the French Champions in Ligue 1. He also won 2.95 tackles per game and made 3.43 interceptions per game. There is a drawback though, and that is his discipline. He used vile language while referring to referee Bjorn Kuipers during a UEFA Champions League Game. He also was disrespectful towards his manager Laurent Blanc.
3. Cesar Azpilicueta-
Although it seems unlikely that Chelsea would sell a crucial first team player to a direct rival however the presence of his former manager at United could help. Also, incoming Chelsea manager Conte likes to play a system with 3 central defenders and wing backs. So it is possible Azpilicueta’s position might be uncertain, although he is capable of playing as a wing-back. An advantage for United would also be that the Spaniard is used to playing in the Premier League and won’t need much time to adapt. Like Aurier, he didn’t commit a single defensive error in the League last season. He likes to tackle and it is most definitely one of his strengths.