Matteo Darmian Injury: Updates on Manchester United Defender's Status and Return

Manchester United’s thinly spread defensive options may be stretched to breaking point after Matteo Darmian suffered an injury against Wolfsburg on Tuesday.

Continue for updates.   

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Latest on Darmian's Fitness

Friday, Dec. 11

Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal confirmed Darmian isn't fit to face Bournemouth on Saturday, as told to MUTV, via Joe Mewis of the Mirror.

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Darmian Lasts Just 40 Minutes Against Wolfsburg

Tuesday, Dec. 8     

As reported by the Manchester Evening News' Stuart Mathieson, the Italian added to United's injury woes just before half-time, and he was eventually replaced by Cameron Borthwick-Jackson.

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Van Gaal Set to Call on Youngsters During Darmian Absence

Being stationed at right-back by Van Gaal, Darmian has settled in well at United following his summer transfer from Torino.

After the sale of Rafael to Lyon this summer, the Red Devils have limited replacements to call upon should they be without Darmian. With Antonio Valencia and Marcos Rojo injured, youngsters Guillermo Varela or Paddy McNair could be afforded game time.

With matches coming up against Bournemouth, Norwich City and Stoke City, United would miss his diligence on the right flank and give opposition attackers a clear area of weakness to target. Subsequently, Van Gaal will be desperate to get the Italian’s understated but effective influence back into the starting XI as soon as possible.