Antonio Valencia’s position as the right back at Manchester United has come under threat following the signing of Matteo Darmian from Italy.

The £ 13 million signing is expected to be the default choice at right back. He has already dislodged Valencia from a starting spot. The Ecuadorian winger has been restricted to just 22 minutes of Premier League action at the start of the campaign. This has been followed by praise for the new defender by manager Louis van Gaal. Valencia could start considering his future if the situation does not improve before January.

At just 25 years of age, Matteo Darmian looks set to be the long-term replacement for Gary Neville. The club has been searching for an attack minded right back, who is also equally good at defending, for a long period. Van Gaal says thatDarmian has all the qualities to dominate the right side of United’s midfield for several years to come. Even though he is just approaching the peak of his career, Van Gaal says that age is just a number and thatDarmian is the example of a late developer who has a long time left in the game. United have made some serious signings in the defence.

“Darmian is from a small club, but he also was at AC Milan so is a late developer, but I think he can contribute [next season],” said Van Gaal, who appears to have been extremely convinced by the quality of the Italian that United have offered a £ 100,000 per week contract for the player. Valencia’s position of the right winger is also under doubt since this place is currently occupied by Juan Mata, who has made a comeback into the team in the second half of last season.Darmian has been a first-team regular for United so far.