Tendayi Darikwa (left) is enjoying a breakthrough season (Picture: Getty)

Not many players can jump up from League Two to the Premier League but that’s what could happen to Tendayi Darikwa after Manchester United boss David Moyes’ interest in the 21-year-old Chesterfield player became public at the weekend.

Moyes was in the stands at Fleetwood to catch a closer look at Darikwa, whose notoriety grows by the game. Here’s a quick lowdown on one of the Football League’s hottest young properties.

MORE: Moyes spotted at Chesterfield game

In-Spired

Darikwa was born in Nottingham to Zimbabwean parents and after short spells at Nottingham Forest and Notts County was given a chance by the Spireites after he left school at 16.




Back to front

His senior debut came in an FA Cup second-round defeat to Burton Albion in 2010, when he was playing at right-back. He has then-manager Tommy Wright to thank for an inspired positional change. In his first league start at Northampton Darikwa played further up the field on the wing and instantly flourished.

Wright said: ‘There was nothing particularly tactical about the decision. We had a few injuries and I knew he would work hard. Since then he has flourished. What has happened to him over the last six months is massive. It has got to the point where you can see other teams worrying about how to stop him.’

Recognition

Darikwa’s eye-catching displays saw him named Football League Young Player of the Month for December last year and his stock continues to rise, with Tottenham, West Ham, Fulham, Liverpool, Everton Nottingham Forest and now Manchester United all monitoring his progress.

Darikwa is tall for a wideman (Picture: Getty)

Tall order

At 6ft 2in, Darikwa is quite tall for a winger but, like United’s Wilfried Zaha, his athleticism and quick feet mean he is still a really slippery prospect for a defender. He also appears to be a diligent worker with his feet firmly on the ground and his down-to-earth character suggests he won’t be easily distracted from his job. ‘I have got to be disciplined with my lifestyle and know my boundaries. My social life is quiet,’ he said.

England or Zimbabwe?

No call-ups for either country at any age level yet but England Under-21 boss Gareth Southgate could do well to have a chat with Darikwa in the likely event that the African country make a play for his services.