Blind Looking Forward To First Tour With United

After enjoying a solid first season at Manchester United, Daley Blind is already thinking about preparations for the 2015/16 campaign.

Tour 2015, presented by Aon, will see Louis van Gaal’s team travel to the United States to face Club America, San Jose Earthquakes, Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain in July.

The versatile Dutchman has made the journey Stateside before, with former club Ajax, but he is excited to cross the pond again as a United player and experience his first taste of tour life with the Reds.

“At Ajax we went to Washington DC to play two or three games, but it was more towards the end of the season. That was an experience, but I think this will be different," Daley told ManUtd.com.

“I've seen some of the games from the last tour and it was amazing to see how many people were watching our matches there and how much red there was in the stands! It'll be a big experience.”

Pre-season is a vital time of the year as the players prepare for the rigours of the Barclays Premier League season once more, and Blind knows that a successful build-up can make a huge difference once the campaign is under way.

“I think everybody has to get fit. That is the important thing," he declared. "You want to play some good games and get to the level you want to be at when the competition starts.

“The first games of the season are important, so you get ready, get prepared and try to get your team in good shape.”

While much of the tour schedule will be taken up with training and playing matches, it will also provide the squad with a good opportunity for team bonding.

“I’ve been here for almost a year now so I know everybody quite well now, but it’s always nice to travel with each other and get to know each other better in other ways," explains Blind.

"As I said before seeing the fans we have in the States will be great. When I walk around Manchester I see fans from all over the world coming to watch the game so, in America, it will be great to experience how many fans we have and also the different nationalities over there who follow us.”

Tour 2015, presented by Aon, begins on 17 July when United meet Club America at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. Visits to Berkeley, Santa Clara and Chicago will follow for the games against San Jose Earthquakes, Barcelona and PSG respectively.