[Adam-Utd]

That's pretty harsh. He's demonstrated many times he's a pretty decent defender. He's poor on the ball though, I won't argue about that.

I expect him to go to an Italian club in the summer (perhaps AC) and become an integral part of a typically solid Italian defence.

He's playing for Man United Mike, do you think Real/Bayern/Juve/Barca would put up with a fullback that was SO scared of having the ball? no chance.

Yes he can do a decent defensive job but surely that's a given considering he's playing for the biggest club in England. We need fulbacks that can defend and attack. It's not even like he's limited like Azpilicueta or Maldini going forward, at least they could hold the ball and pass forwards accurately without panic. He literally just pumps the ball forward hoping one of the forwards will chase it, he just isn't good enough.

How he gets in over Shaw or Young I have no idea.

 

[DanNistelrooy]

He's an absolute coward in possession. But I have to admit I've been pleasantly surprised with his defending in recent weeks. Earlier on in the season and last he was hopeless at defending as well as being poor in possession. Needs to go in the summer unless he's happy being 3/4th choice, not good enough.

 

[el3mel]

He'll stay. Jose loves having a full defensive back in his squad for certain games.

Definitely not a starter but he has his games, and he doesn't seem to make any disasters in big matches recently.

 

[MadMike]

He's playing for Man United Mike, do you think Real/Bayern/Juve/Barca would put up with a fullback that was SO scared of having the ball? no chance.

Yes he can do a decent defensive job but surely that's a given considering he's playing for the biggest club in England. We need fulbacks that can defend and attack. It's not even like he's limited like Azpilicueta or Maldini going forward, at least they could hold the ball and pass forwards accurately without panic. He literally just pumps the ball forward hoping one of the forwards will chase it, he just isn't good enough.

How he gets in over Shaw or Young I have no idea.

Of the teams you listed, I reckon he could get games for an Allegri managed Juventus in the same way that Lichtensteiner does. The other teams play far more attacking/possession football and wouldn't put up with him, I agree. But there's no 1 way to play the game only. Juventus are in the Semis of the CL because they shut down Barca for 180 minutes.

Darmian plays for Mourinho and Italy because of his defensive qualities. Given a specific job he'll stick to it. He gets games ahead of Shaw and Young because he's more dependable in that regard. Despite his other limitations.

I'm not advocating that he stays, or that he's a great player. But we do have the 2nd best defence in the league and he's part of it. He helped keep clean sheets against Chelsea and City. He has his uses, however limited. He's not trash.

 

[stevoc]

He'll stay. Jose loves having a full defensive back in his squad for certain games.

Definitely not a starter but he has his games, and he doesn't seem to make any disasters in big matches recently.

Don't you think with our financial resources we could find a fullback just as good or better defensively when we need that in tight matches. But also much, much better on the ball and going forward for when we need that in a game?

Seems silly to fill a slot in the squad with a player who only really has one specific purpose.

 

[el3mel]

Don't you think with our financial resources we could find a fullback just as good or better defensively when we need that in tight matches. But also much, much better on the ball and going forward for when we need that in a game?

Seems silly to fill a slot in the squad with a player who only really has one specific purpose.

We definitely could, but regarding our need of getting a striker and a winger, both will require a load of money, with a defender after Rojo injury and a midfielder to replace Carrick to decrease the possibility of seeing Fellaini's hair, we'll come short of money and we won't have time to get a full back.

He's not a very bad back-up in some big games when you need extra defender. Shaw should step up and take this position for himself to save us lots of problems.

 

[Ole90+3]

He was pathetic last night when on the ball. Like many of the other players, they totally panicked on the ball and released blindly as soon as they possibly could. Hope he goes, there must be much better full backs available this summer.

 

[stevoc]

We definitely could, but regarding our need of getting a striker and a winger, both will require a load of money, with a defender after Rojo injury and a midfielder to replace Carrick to decrease the possibility of seeing Fellaini's hair, we'll come short of money and we won't have time to get a full back.

He's not a very bad back-up in some big games when you need extra defender. Shaw should step up and take this position for himself to save us lots of problems.

I don't think any of that would stop us signing another fullback to replace darmian if Mourinho wanted it to happen, United are loaded.

And lets be honest here it wouldn't even cost that much to upgrade on Darmian. And besides we have Shaw and Blind with Jackson coming back from loan for LB and Valencia, Young and Varela returning from loan for RB i would honestly be happy enough going into next season with those 6 as our fullback options and just try to recoup some of the money we wasted on Darmian.

 

[el3mel]

I don't think any of that would stop us signing another fullback to replace darmian if Mourinho wanted it to happen, United are loaded.

And lets be honest here it wouldn't even cost that much to upgrade on Darmian. And besides we have Shaw and Blind with Jackson coming back from loan for LB and Valencia, Young and Varela returning from loan for RB i would honestly be happy enough going into next season with those 6 as our fullback options and just try to recoup some of the money we wasted on Darmian.

I'm not disagreeing with you on upgrading on him, but there're priorities who we need to finish the business in it first then if we still have enough money to spend then move on and get a fullback but first, concentrate on the priorities.

Don't put much hope on Varela and I don't think he'll play here anymore.

 

[stevoc]

I'm not disagreeing with you on upgrading on him, but there're priorities who we need to finish the business in it first then if we still have enough money to spend then move on and get a fullback but first, concentrate on the priorities.

Don't put much hope on Varela and I don't think he'll play here anymore.

Thats not always how it works though. You don't sign your priority signing first and then move on, usually the players you want most are very good and quite often they are big complicated deals. Look at how long the Pogba deal took.

If we are selling Darmian and replacing him, i would imagine his replacement will be one of the first signings this summer.

Though i have a feeling he will hang around for another year or two yet. Don't know if there will be any real interest in him, and by real interest i mean a team willing to make a decent offer that the club thinks is fair. Italian clubs who are his most likely destination don't like to spend too much.

 

[ZAGREB RED]

He just is a very average player and as a full back, offers little or nothing coming forward. I was hoping Shaw would play against City, even Young in front of Darmian, but Mourinho seems to like him. More than a few times he just booted the ball clear in the City game when he had time to take a touch and look for a pass, which contributed to the pressure piled on United in the second half when City were dominating. He didn't really make any major errors, but a couple of times late in the game he stood way off De Bruyne and then Sterling ( I think ) and allowed them to put crosses in, again increasing the pressure on United.
I don't really what he brings to the team.

 

[NoPace]

That's pretty harsh. He's demonstrated many times he's a pretty decent defender. He's poor on the ball though, I won't argue about that.

I expect him to go to an Italian club in the summer (perhaps AC) and become an integral part of a typically solid Italian defence.

Yeah, I think he's better than decent defensively. Rarely gets beaten by wingers and positionally very good. He should probably be first choice for a club with a very attacking left back type that wants a bit of balance, which ironically enough is something Mourinho has historically liked. Not sure who plays direct enough football to really suit him and his poor technique in possession, though. Someone like Crystal Palace would be perfect if he stays in England, as Schlupp is best suited to pushing up on the opposite wing and Zaha or Townsend would benefit from a better defensive RB behind them.

 

[el3mel]

Thats not always how it works though. You don't sign your priority signing first and then move on, usually the players you want most are very good and quite often they are big complicated deals. Look at how long the Pogba deal took.

If we are selling Darmian and replacing him, i would imagine his replacement will be one of the first signings this summer.

Though i have a feeling he will hang around for another year or two yet. Don't know if there will be any real interest in him, and by real interest i mean a team willing to make a decent offer that the club thinks is fair. Italian clubs who are his most likely destination don't like to spend too much.

I think this summer will be different than the previous one tbh. First we didn't spend a lot the previous summer till the Pogba signing, we spent only 30m on Bailly and 26.5m on Mikhi and Zlatan was free. All money was saved for Pogba's deal. This summer we're going to spend more heavily as we need more offensive options that'll cost a lot and there'll be no free signing as Zlatan. Second is Jose won't like the idea of another signing coming at the end of pre-season like this. He'll push to get all his signings early so they can all join the pre-season and he can try different formations before the season starts. I expect our overall policy in transfers this summer to be different than the last one.

 

[criticalanalysis]

He's a system player, obviously just like all other players to an extent but his lack of individual ability means he's one of the last players you'd expect to actually assert himself when called upon.

In a team, you're only as good as the 'worst' player and we are far from good enough to carry a player not in his element.

You can forgive the lack of consistent playing time and Mourinho's inability to field a system where players can thrive but ideally his top level for us would be as a good squad option, like Lingard.

 

[Zoo]

Did fine at CB when he came on. I think he'd be okay to play there against Celta if needed.

 

[Devil may care]

He looked pretty composed at CB for his run out.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Wasn't really tested though tbh. Made a few decent interceptions but that was bread and butter for any usual defender. I think I would prefer Carrick at cb.

 

[Fracture90]

Looked ok as a CB, he will probably start there vs. Celta. Think Mourinho will keep him.

 

[Robbie Boy]

He's improved lately. He couldn't have gotten any worse I suppose.

 

[lsd]

I think he will do well at centre Backi and he is the logical and best player for that position now .

 

[NotoriousISSY]

Actually expected us to go 3-5-2 a few games ago with Darmian Bailly and Blind to take the strain off Bailly.

But looked fine generally. Goal was conceded due to Rooney stupidity and a great set-piece specialist.

 

[Dec9003]

I really like Darmian, he's dependable and I don't know if he's played at centre back, but if him and Blind are protected we might be okay.
That said, hopefully Bailly isn't actually injured and will be fine for Thursday.

 

[Chaky_Best]

Darmian is better in a three man defense.

I dont really know if we may field a 352 against Vigo (depending if Bailly is fit)

But he s a top defender and unfortu ately a not so good counter attacking one

 

[Scarecrow]

Could be worth trying him as a RCB next to Bailly and Blind. He's a decent defender and the formation calls for a bit of a hybrid between center back and fullback which him and Blind are pretty close to. Just one of those things that makes sense on paper. Who knows though.

Plus, he's quite useless as a fullback in today's PL.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Thankfully, he's available. Just like blind, they're important and should stay imo next season. Like it or not, we have many defenders who are injury-prone.

 

[Bwuk]

I'd rather play him at full back and play Tuanzebe at CB against Vigo. Has he ever played as a CB before apart from yesterday?

 

[3KDré]

I'd rather play him at full back and play Tuanzebe at CB against Vigo. Has he ever played as a CB before apart from yesterday?

Quite often for Torino.

 

[Freak]

Thankfully, he's available. Just like blind, they're important and should stay imo next season. Like it or not, we have many defenders who are injury-prone.

Definitely. I'd rather have not so talented players who are always fit and reliable like Darmian and Blind over talented crocks like Shaw, Smalling and Jones who are never available.

 

[stevoc]

Definitely. I'd rather have not so talented players who are always fit and reliable like Darmian and Blind over talented crocks like Shaw, Smalling and Jones who are never available.

Darmian missed loads of games last season due to injury.

 

[JoaquinJoaquin]

Very good again today. Got to give the guy credit. He has had a good 6 or 7 weeks now.

 

[Dyslexic Untied]

Brilliant today. Perfect guy to have when we just want to avoid conceding.

 

[SwansonsTache]

I most def wanted him gone in the summer but now I am not so certain anymore. He is undoubtedly shite going forward but very solid defensively.

 

[Ban]

Another good game. Long may it continue.

 

[FC Ronaldo]

Our Azpilicueta?

 

[Devil may care]

Another solid defensive outing, he's become reliable in the task he's asked to perform.

 

[Raoul]

Solid performance. He's quietly growing into his role. I get the impression Jose feels this way as well.

 

[izec]

If only he had a good left foot and could cross or shoot at times, so that he could provide some sort of attacking threat. Defensively, he looks more aggressive and better than at the beginning of the season, where he looked a bit down.

 

[Maradona10]

I like him.I think he is useful and as a squad player should not be sold. Still 27 so best days are ahead of him and he likes the tactical setup of jose that benifits him. I think his ability to play either flank and even centrally is what will keep him here. His performances and regularity in the team show he has earned some confidence from manager.

 

[stevoc]

Been much, much better defensively recently. Was laughably bad earlier in the season, still doesn't offer much going forward but i just don't think he's capable and/or willing in that department.

 

[Robbie Boy]

His resurgence continues. Love when one of our players proves me wrong. Good stuff Matteo.