Matteo Darmian's arrival proving a sound decision by Manchester United

The majority of Manchester United supporters were asking the same question when news broke last month of the club’s interest in Torino right-back Matteo Darmian – “Who?”

Fans quickly searched the player’s name and history on Google and watched various footage of Darmian on YouTube.

Almost immediately questions were raised asking why United had elected to drop its interest in Southampton right-back Nathaniel Clyne – who had established a solid reputation in the Premier League and internationally – in favor of an “unknown” 25-year-old Italian defender.

Even though the player arrived at Old Trafford boasting a solid reputation in Serie A – with most experts labeling him the best right-back in Italy – United fans were still leery of the purchase their club had made at a vital position.

The point was even raised that United had a poor history of assimilating Italian players into the squad.

However, after four pre-season friendlies Darmian’s arrival is proving a sound decision by the club and fans have universally embraced their new signing.

After manager Louis van Gaal initially proclaimed that the Italian would play second-fiddle to Antonio Valencia at right-back, Darmian went on to play the most minutes by a United player (243 mins) during the club’s preseason tour of the US.

While Valencia and Rafael da Silva’s performances have split fans’ opinions in recent seasons, Darmian’s effort have been unanimously praised. United supporters feel the Italian defender may finally the void left at the position following the retirement of Gary Neville in 2011.

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Darmian’s best performances came in United’s final two matches of the US tour against Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

Against Barcelona, the 25-year-old kept United transfer target Pedro out of the game and ultimately forced the Spain international to switch wings midway through the first-half. While the following match versus PSG was overall a poor defensive performance by the team, Darmian stood out as the best player on the pitch with his timely tackles and bombing runs down the right-flank which gave the French champions problems for most of the contest.

When Darmian was unveiled last month, Louis van Gaal said: “I want always a player who can defend in the first place. At right-back you have to defend and cooperate with the defenders.”

While it’s still very early in his United career, it appears the Italian fits the bill for the club.

Van Gaal has already confirmed that Darmian will start the club’s Premier League opener against Tottenham next weekend.

It appears the player who was brought in to be the second-choice right-back behind Antonio Valencia is proving to be shrewd decision by the club.