Matteo Darmian insists Manchester United are happy with start to 2016
Monday 11 January 2016 11:24, UK
Matteo Darmian insists he and the squad are happy with Manchester United's start to 2016 despite continued criticism of their playing style.
United laboured to a 1-0 win at home to Sheffield United in the FA Cup third round on Saturday thanks to Wayne Rooney's 93rd-minute penalty.
Louis van Gaal's side have scored just seven goals in their last 10 games at Old Trafford and have scored just two first-half goals at home all season.
Darmian has laid blame at lesser teams parking the bus at the Theatre of Dreams and says his side are growing in confidence after two straight wins.
He said: "It is difficult for us because Sheffield United, like a lot of teams when they come here, have all their team behind the ball and behind the 60-metre line, so it is not easy to find space.
"Sometimes we tried to pass the ball in behind to create the space. This sort of game can always happen with a team from League One but we fought and, in the end, we got the penalty, we scored it, we won and we are happy with the result.
"Now we have to continue in the way we have started the New Year. We have beaten Swansea and won today and now we must continue in this way."
"Wins always help to increase our confidence. Now we have two days to prepare for the game with Newcastle. We have to recover and then focus on that game."
Darmian had an excellent start to the season but suffered a hamstring injury in late October and missed almost a month of action.
Live Ford Super Sunday
He insists he is "happy" at the club after a summer move from Torino and wants to "continue on my way" to becoming a great United player.
"I am happy with the team, the staff and the city, so I just try to ignore the rumours," he said.
"To return after a hamstring injury is not easy. Sometimes it affects you mentally. But now I feel good. I want to play like I did at the beginning of the season and that is what I'm trying to do.
"I think the manager is happy with my progress and when I train I try to improve day by day."
