Right-back looks set for Italian switch in summer

MATTEO Darmian is ‘pleased’ Juventus are interested in signing him as the right-back prepares to leave United.

Darmian, 28, has played only 196 minutes in the Premier League this season and last started in January after lining up in last year’s Europa League final win over Ajax.

The Italian is out of contract at United next year and is expected to return to Italy in the summer amid interest from a host of Serie A clubs.

Darmian, who joined United from Torino for £11.7m in 2015, is flattered by the prospect of returning to northern Italy.

“Juventus? This interest is pleasing,” Darmian told Sky Italia. “Juve are a great club and to be of interest to a club like that is important. We’ll definitely make the right evaluations at the end of the season.

“I’m a part of one of the biggest clubs in the world and I’m proud of that, it allows me to win important trophies. There’s nostalgia for Italy and I do miss it, let’s finish the season and then we’ll evaluate things.”

United manager Jose Mourinho is understood to have identified Juve’s Alex Sandro as his preferred leftback target. Daley Blind and Luke Shaw are also expected to depart in the summer along with Darmian.

Darmian started United’s season curtain-raiser in the Super Cup defeat to Real Madrid but was replaced for the Premier League opener by Blind.