Matteo Darmian says he is ready for more Manchester United starts after featuring against Sunderland
Monday 10 April 2017 14:47, UK
Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian says he is ready to give his all when called upon again by boss Jose Mourinho.
The 27-year-old made his first Premier league start since January when he returned from the cold to help steer United to a 3-0 victory over Sunderland on Sunday, as his side chase a top-four finish with eight games remaining and a game in hand on Manchester City in fourth.
With injuries depleting United's options, Mourinho handed the Italian his 19th appearance of the season in all competitions and the full-back made sure to capitalise on the opportunity.
And, while the lack of game time has fuelled talk of a Serie A return, the Italy international's main focus right now is firmly on ending the campaign strongly, both on an individual and collective level.
"I think I always work hard to be ready for when the manager gives me an opportunity," Darmian said.
"I think I took it but I have to be focused and I have to work for it. And that's it.
"When the manager gives me another opportunity, I have to be ready to help the team. The most important thing was the victory though."
United strolled to a comfortable victory at Sunderland, who had Seb Larsson controversially sent off.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic put United 1-0 up on 30 minutes before Henrikh Mkhitaryan doubled his side's advantage immediately after the break.
Marcus Rashford added a third with a minute remaining to round off a victory which moves United to within four points of a Champions League berth, while winning the Europa League offers another route.
Mourinho's side resume Europa League campaign in Belgium on Thursday, when they face Anderlecht in the first leg of their quarter-final.
"I think it will be a difficult game for us," Darmian added.
"We want to progress into the semi-finals so we now have to recover well and start about this game because I think it will be very difficult out there.
"We have to be concentrated and try to play with good intention and focus. We will try to win."
