A 50% fit Shaw would have been more effective than Darmian today. Stoke so were so narrow off the ball, and so many times Darmian received the ball with acres of space to drive in to down the left wing, but instead he'd turn 90 degrees and play a pass back in to centre of midfield. So many times our midfield had the ball looking for a run, and it was always Valencia. Darmian never did the equivalent on his side. He barely stepped over the half way line. Even Blind, probably the slowest player we have, would have posed an infinitely greater threat. Ashley Young on crutches and a permanent mouthful of bird shit would have been more of a threat.
He made a few good defensive recoveries, but he just offers nothing going forwards when there are opportunities for him to attack the space and stretch Stoke. We often hear that Mourinho only wants one attacking full back, but surely he wouldn't ever instruct a full back to not attack when there is acres and acres of space and the opposition are caught short, of which there were a few occasions of that today. No chance.
Reminds me of Tom Cleverley. Constantly points to someone else instead of showing for a pass, never makes himself available via movement, and always seems to be standing behind an opposing player. I think he's a decent defender, would probably be fairly solid as an LCB or RCB of a back 3 like Azpi at Chelsea (bit not quite as good). He just can't be a full back when he is so blunt as an attacker or playmaker. Just an utterly uninspiring player to watch.
And those fecking sideburns. Sort your life out.