Matteo Darmian has lauded former Manchester United managers Jose Mourinho and Louis Van Gaal for having a positive effect on his career.
The defender brought a four-year stay at United to a close this summer when he completed a £3.6million move to Parma. During his time at Old Trafford, he won the Europa League (under Mourinho) and FA Cup (under Van Gaal).
And he recognised the impact of both the managers, despite the fact he never truly made a success of his time at United and played only seven games in all competitions in his final season, before agreeing a move back to his homeland.
“Van Gaal and Mourinho are two great coaches,” he told Italian media outlet Tuttomercatoweb .
“They have won a lot, you know them. They are two great coaches who have left me something positive, and I thank them.”
On how his move to United came about and what it was liking wearing the famous red shirt, Darmian added that he was always proud and wanted a challenge when he agreed the move to Old Trafford.
“The choice to go to England at the time was easy,” he added.
“Playing for such an important club was a source of pride and a great responsibility for me because wearing a glorious shirt always gives great responsibility.
“It was an experience I would do again, very important for my career. I went to challenge myself with a different culture and football, and it certainly made me grow both on and off the pitch.”
“The first two years I played more, then the last year and a half I played less but my desire to play pushed me to leave Manchester.”
