Strengths and Weakness of Manchester United's Matteo Darmian

Manchester United's busy weekend of transfers included the acquisition of Italy international full-back Matteo Darmian. 

While not a superstar like Bastian Schweinsteiger or a proven Premier League talent like Morgan Schneiderlin, there is much to be excited about in United's new defender.

He has played in a World Cup for his country and has been a Serie A regular for Torino for the past three seasons. Former United right-back Gary Neville tweeted his endorsement for the move, saying he liked what he had seen when scouting Italy ahead of England games. 

Thus United's newest right-back has the blessing of one of its most legendary. Let's take a look at what Darmian does best and what he might need to work on in order to become a star for United.

Weakness: Crossing

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In 2014/15 Darmian managed an average of just 0.4 successful crosses per league game for Torino. This is in spite of playing the majority of his games at right wing-back, a role in which attacking is key. 

This compares unfavourably with Antonio Valencia, who managed almost double that last season, and few would describe his performances as those of an attacking powerhouse.

Neville, though, serves as an example to any full-back seeking to improve their crossing. It was not one of his strong suits early in his career, but he worked on it throughout to the point where he was probably the best crosser of the ball in the squad when David Beckham left the club in 2003.

It is also worth noting Darmian can pull off a great cross every now and then.

Strength: Reading Ability

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For a defender raised under the wings of players such as Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta as part of the AC Milan youth setup, it is no surprise that Darmian is as an elegant reader of games. 

It is one of his strong suits as a defender, and United fans will likely come to value the fact that, more often than not, when the ball is in a danger zone he is responsible for, Darmian is likely to be in the right place at the right time.

That kind of composure has been missing from United's back line for some time, particularly since Rio Ferdinand left last summer, so it will be excellent to have a player with those abilities back in the mix.

Weakness: Physical Presence

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Darmian is relatively tall (more on that later), but he is not the strongest, and the move to the Premier League may pose some challenges on this front. 

This is obviously less of a problem when he is playing at full-back than it would be if he ever has to cover at centre-back. It is also possible there will be no significant issues, as he has plenty of experience in getting the best out of his frame. However, his relatively slight build could see tougher attackers bully him a little.

Strengh: Superb Engine

As Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe pointed out in his article on July 9, Darmian possesses the "rare ability to get up and down the pitch and contribute in all phases of the game for the full 90 minutes." 

That kind of engine is vital for a 21st-century full-back, on whom the demands are considerable. Darmian's superb stamina will be a huge asset to Van Gaal, particularly if he shares a flank with an attack-minded forward player in a 4-3-3. Darmian is well equipped to deal with the extra responsibilities—and extra physical demands—that will bring.

Weakness: Relative Lack of Pace

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Darmian is not the quickest full-back in the game. However, his aforementioned reading ability and superb stamina can make up for a lot of ills in this regard. As a full-back, though, pace is most valuable for compensating for a mistake.

He is not exactly slow, but there will probably be times when his slight lack of pace counts against him, particularly if he his caught up field during an opponent's counter-attack. This potential problem should be mitigated by United's better-balanced squad and the addition of midfielders who can help cover their defenders' mistakes.

Strength: Good Attitude

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The oft-neglected mental aspects of what leads a player to success or otherwise rarely get the attention they deserve, but Darmian has an excellent reputation in this regard. 

It speaks volumes Giampiero Ventura, the manager of the club he is leaving, would say, per Sky Italia (h/t the Guardian) "We have worked together for some time. Because of his desire, humility and will to achieve things, it’s right to grant him the opportunity to realise a dream to play in the Champions League in a team that will fight to win it." 

Desire and humility are a marvelous combination for a player working under Louis van Gaal, a coach who is keen to teach players to play his way.

Weakness: Lack of Specialisation at Right Full-Back

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What we will come to as a strength, his superb versatility, also has a downside—that being his relative lack of specialisation at right full-back. Darmian has very often played as a wing-back, which means his playing time as an out-and-out right-back has been lessened.

Having said that, it is probably easier to transition from wing-back to full-back than the other way round. Also, the fact that he has played as a wing-back so often will benefit United should Van Gaal ever reintroduce the 3-5-2.

Though that is a pretty scary thought for United fans.

Strength: Versatility

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The reason he has played fewer games at right-back than another player with his experience may have done is because he is a truly versatile defender.

He is almost as comfortable at left-back as he as on the right, and he can play as both a full-back and a wing-back. His height and game-reading ability mean he has not looked too lost when asked to cover at centre-back, although his best position is most definitely on the flank.

Van Gaal is a fan of versatile footballers, and Darmian's ability to fill gaps in United's squad is presumably one of the things that brought him to the Dutchman's attention.

If, as seems likely, Darmian's strengths outweigh his weaknesses, his signing could be remembered as a real bargain and a superb stroke of forward thinking.

All advanced statistics per WhoScored.com.