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Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian is having a pretty much miserable season so far. Jose Mourinho clearly prefers Antonio Valencia to the Italian and now Darmian can’t even consider himself a nailed on option as the Ecuadorian’s deputy.

Left out of the match squad entirely for Thursday’s Europa League clash against Zorya, reports are constant in Italy about a possible January return to Serie A. It makes, if Darmian isn’t getting games at Manchester United then there’s little point the defender being there, when big clubs in his home country are keen.

Another reason for a return to Italy, and Manchester Untied exit, is worry over the player’s place in the national squad. If he’s hardly getting any minutes at all under Mourinho, then it makes it harder for him to have a good case at international level.

It will certainly have been a worry for Darmian, but he’s been given a boost this weekend with news he’s in Italy’s squad for their next World Cup Qualifiers. Italy face Spain and Macedonia in their next two matches, and Darmian will be hoping to get some time on the pitch and further win the confidence of Giampiero Ventura.