DARMIAN ALREADY PROVING POPULAR AT UNITED

"No-one wants to grow up and be a Gary Neville."

So Jamie Carragher once commented on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football. The former Liverpool defender was making the point that full-back is one of the less glamorous positions and, as Neville played behind David Beckham on the right flank, it is easy to appreciate why the Anfield stalwart said it.

However, Manchester United fans have always respected and admired the players who've nailed down those cornerstone roles in the back four. Denis Irwin remains a hugely popular figure – at a recent school visit as part of his work with the club’s Foundation, one of the teachers was visibly tongue-tied and star-struck at meeting his idol.

You could go further back to Shay Brennan or consider recent examples such as Patrice Evra and Rafael, whose infectious personalities, not to mention their passionate performances, ensured they were genuine crowd favourites.

Matteo Darmian is more in the mould of Irwin, Neville and Brennan – that much is obvious by watching him play but it becomes even clearer when you sit down to talk to the modest Italian. "I am maybe a little bit shy," he confesses in an interview conducted in his native tongue as he continues taking English lessons in order to pick up the language.

Clearly relaxed when able to express himself fully, his opening answer on growing up in Legnano, near Milan, is a lengthy one, always a good sign for any interview. He spoke to us about his career journey to Old Trafford, his idols and his personality, in addition to the late call-up to Italy’s squad ahead of last year’s World Cup finals.

Darmian’s parents, assisted by his first club AC Milan, ensured he completed his studies and that's reflected now in his intelligence and down-to-earth character. When we meet again, along with our interpreter Giuliana Giacomini, he is warm with his greetings and appears eager to discover when the interview will be published. During his second chat, for the MUDSA (Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association) magazine, he is asked about the differences between Serie A and the Barclays Premier League and suggests debates around incidents during games rumble on in Italy but they quickly pass in England.