According to Press Association Sport reporter Simon Peach, via the Daily Mail, Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian has insisted that he wants to stay with the club despite speculation linking him with a summer return to Italy.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Daily Mail says that the right-back has been the subject of interest from Juventus in recent times and barely a week goes by when he isn’t linked with a return to his homeland.

Darmian moved away from Italy for the first time two years ago when he joined United from Torino in a deal worth £12.7m, according to the Daily Mail, and he struggled to make an impression in his first season in English football and also at the start of Jose Mourinho’s rein.

However, he showed how highly he is rated by the Portuguese boss by the fact that he started the Europa League final success against Ajax back in May.

The 27-year-old certainly doesn’t seem in any rush to leave Old Trafford either.

What did he say then?

Speaking during the club’s American tour, Darmian said: "I am happy here. I think also it is a part of our work, these kind of rumours.

"Like I said before, I am happy here so nothing news [wise]. I am a Manchester United player - that's it."

How good was he last season?

He did pretty well after a tough start.

Darmian struggled to get a chance in the first couple of months of last season but when the injuries in the defence started to build up he was given his chance, and he performed well.

The Italy international made 29 appearances in all competitions with the majority of those outings coming as cover at left-back rather than in his preferred right-back spot.

Would United entertain any bids for Darmian?

Probably not, no.

The fact that the Italian can play at either right or left-back makes him a useful member of the squad and while he may not be an automatic starter in the upcoming campaign, he certainly still has something to offer.

In addition, Mourinho confirmed on Saturday that Luke Shaw, Ashley Young and Marcos Rojo will all be missing for the start of the season and it leaves him a little thin in terms of full-back options, meaning Darmian could be featuring on a regular basis.

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