Blind Learning To Lead Like His Father

Manchester United midfielder Daley Blind admits he would love to become a leader like his father Danny, the Netherlands assistant coach.

Van Gaal last week forwarded Blind Snr as the best leader of a team that he has ever managed and suggested his new recruit was not yet in that category but is still very much a work in progress as a player.

Danny was a stalwart in defence for Ajax and captained both club and country during his distinguished career, while his son, still only 24, has made an impressive start to life at Old Trafford.

"I read that," Daley told ManUtd.com, when asked about the boss' comments. "I hope I become maybe a bit of the leader he was. I am still young and can improve on that.

"Also this is a new era for me and I have come to a new area. But I know myself that I can be [a leader]. I have to learn it and have to keep it up. I am still learning every day."

Daley has joined up with his father on international duty this week. Danny is currently Guus Hiddink's assistant with the Netherlands national team and will succeed him after the Euro 2016 finals, but naturally he is taking a keen interest in his son's progress.

"My Dad watched on TV [on Sunday]," he said. "But I'm always in touch with him before the games and after the games."