Matteo Darmian insists Jose Mourinho still wants him at Manchester United

Manchester United full-back Matteo Darmian believes it is too early to start thinking about a January transfer and believes Jose Mourinho still wants him at the club.

Darmian, who joined United from Torino in the summer of 2015, initially struggled to force his way into the manager's plans this season and failed to feature under Mourinho until the club's opening Europa League group game against Feyenoord – a 1-0 defeat.

Injuries to Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw however have seen the Italy international reintroduced to the first-team, starting the club's last three games in all competitions. With Valencia expected to be sidelined for a number of weeks after undergoing surgery on a fractured arm, Mourinho recently gave his backing to Darmian, praising his performance in the goalless draw with Burnley.

While not too long ago Darmian's agent indicated his client will have to consider a January move if his situation at the club didn't improve, the defender now appears more optimistic over his future in Manchester.

He was quoted as saying by Eurosport: "Jose Mourinho wanted to cast me out? I've read things like that, but I don't think it's true. I keep going on my way, working to improve and give the coach a selection headache. I am not thinking about the transfer market, it is still too early."

United rejected offers from unnamed Italian clubs during the summer transfer window but interest from the player's homeland doesn't appear to have quelled.

Gazzetta dello Sport had suggested Inter Milan were among the clubs seeking to bring Darmian back to Serie A. The Italian newspaper claimed the Nerazzurri will attempt to sign the defender on an initial loan deal in January with the view of a permanent move at the end of the season.

Darmian now insists however he is ready to fight for his place at United.