A number of players have gone through the Manchester United rumour mill in recent weeks but it looks increasingly likely that the club will sign Torino right-back Matteo Darmian this week.
Louis van Gaal has been looking for an upgrade on Antonio Valencia this summer and numerous reports have suggested that United are closing in on a €20m deal for the Italian.
Darmian would be a solid addition to the squad but a number of fans have pointed to the fact that United already have a quality right-back in Rafael.
Unfortunately, the popular Brazilian seems to have been frozen out by van Gaal. We asked our Twitter followers if they would prefer Rafael or Darmian:
@PeoplesPerson_ darmian because I only heard of him 2 days ago.
— gerry mcginley (@gerry7230) July 7, 2015
@PeoplesPerson_ As much as my heart says Rafa It looks like he won’t be at OT next season So would love to have Darmian, among the top RBs
— Aditya Vandkar (@Aditya_16V) July 7, 2015
@PeoplesPerson_ darmian, rafaels had his chance, countless occasions of being rash, stupid, overly agressive and always being injured
— RADAMEL (@imy_286) July 7, 2015
@peoplesperson_ Darmian. His fitness and stability is better than Rafael’s.
— Libero (@VickieOfficiel) July 7, 2015
@PeoplesPerson_ darmien preferred choice. A top full back. Rafael is to injury prone and too rash.
— Steven Graham Fenn (@fenn_steven) July 7, 2015
@PeoplesPerson_ Both,Rafael still can be a top RB as long as he stays fits.Proof of this was in 2012-2013.Much rather we got rid of Valencia
— RedHalf ofManchester (@mufc_fan_saf) July 7, 2015
Rafael has gone through some fantastic periods of form in a United shirt and he has gradually become a fans’ favourite due to his full-blooded performances.
However, this looks to have been his downfall. Van Gaal is a notoriously strict coach who likes players to follow his instructions to the letter and Rafael simply doesn’t fall into that category.
Coupled with his poor injury record, it is easy to see why van Gaal wouldn’t want Rafael. His departure would come as a bitter blow to United fans but perhaps it is for the best.