Matteo Darmian has left Manchester United to join Parma on a permanent basis, the club have confirmed. The fullback has returned to Italy for a reported fee of £3.6m, with the Red Devils having included a sell-on clause.
The Italian international signed from Torino for £12.7m four years ago and went on to make 92 appearances for the club. He did, however, become a peripheral figure over the last two seasons, and it is not a surprise that he was allowed to leave.
Fans on Twitter paid tribute to Darmian’s professionalism but felt he didn’t match the standards required to play for United:
Never kicked up a fuss about not playing. Very professional attitude. Shame it didn’t work out for him.
— Chris Kelly (@CzaKza) 2 September 2019
Didn’t make any complaints or talked behind Managers back or criticised club.
He use to come for training everyday.Good players like Icardi, Neymar doing all the wrong things to force a move.
A true gentleman, All the Best @DarmianOfficial ?#darmian
— Nick (@nicks_mufc) 2 September 2019
He was professional
— Yung Banelvin (@banelvin) 2 September 2019
He always tried but was not the kind of quality we needed
— Dark Skin ESCOBAR ? (@datperfectJOINT) 2 September 2019
Good luck my man Matteo, win some in Parma ??
— tamagotchi (@maatama_) 2 September 2019
What’s with ManUtd and Italian clubs? ? I wish him the best tho.
— ◀Obliss▶ (@iamObiii) 2 September 2019
To think he didn’t kick up a fuss once and got on with it nothing but respect, hope he does well at Parma
— AinsleyHarriott ? (@heathster696969) 2 September 2019
Such a professional player he is, all the best mate
— Abdel-Malik Sadik (@sadik_abdel) 2 September 2019
Best wishes brother.
— Lord Mek D’On (@DonWEAPON) 2 September 2019
The Italian’s departure means that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has relatively few fullback options in his squad. Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw are both currently out injured.
Some have tipped youngster Brandon Williams to be given his chance by Solskjaer but it appears Ashley Young will continue to deputise on the left-hand side until Shaw returns to fitness.
