Blackett Welcomes Rojo Competition

Tyler Blackett has welcomed Marcos Rojo's arrival at Manchester United as he appreciates the healthy competition for a place in the defence.

The local lad has enjoyed his first involvement with England Under-21s this week, helping to set up the third goal for Harry Kane in the 3-0 victory over Moldova on Tuesday night. It's a measure of his progress after starting all three of the Reds' Barclays Premier League games this term and earning a place on our shortlist for the Player of the Month award for August.

In an exclusive interview with ManUtd.com, the 20-year-old was asked how Rojo had been in training since signing from Sporting Lisbon, with the defender now cleared to play at the weekend against QPR.

"He looks good," declared Blackett. "Obviously, he is someone who plays in my position as well so he is somebody I can look up to and learn off, but hopefully challenge for a place in the team too. He’ll get stuck in when the time is right and get a foot in there but he’s got a good left foot on him so he’ll be good for the team and add that balance that we need."

Blackett hopes to continue impressing Louis van Gaal and cement a place in the first-team squad, although he is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

"Hopefully, to get more games," he replied, when asked to outline his ambitions for the season. "I know I’m not going to play in every match but I’d like to think I will get more games and opportunities to do well and be around the first team. I’d like to be able to say next summer the team has performed well and I have played maybe 10-15 games. I want to establish myself at this level and prove to myself that I can play here."