Blind: Only Victory Will Do

Manchester United defender Daley Blind on signing off the league season with a victory, improving as a player and his partnership with Chris Smalling…

Still a chance for the Champions League
"You have to be hopeful and believe. We have to make sure we win our own match [against Bournemouth] and see what happens between City and Swansea. The only thing you can do is concentrate on your own game. It’s not useful to have your mind on the other game. Of course, I can understand the crowd will keep an eye on that match, but we have to just concentrate on ourselves. If you don’t win then you would never forgive yourself."

All hail the United faithful
"The fans have been great this season home and away, they’ve always stood with us. It’s important for us to end the season as strong as we can in front of them, hopefully with a good win on Sunday and then we will fight for the FA Cup."

18 clean sheets – the best record
"I’m pleased. All the defenders have done a great job but you start defending with the attackers so we did a great job as a team. When you’re a defender you can be happy with the clean sheets but it’s about winning."

Defensive duo
"I am very happy with how Chris [Smalling] and I have worked together. In the beginning you learn more about how someone plays and you adapt to each other. Chris and I talk a lot together in games and in training as well. We’re good friends on and off the pitch and that helps. It’s not only us though – we did it with the rest of the defence and the attackers as well and the goalkeepers of course."

A virtual ever-present
"I’m very happy with the way I’ve been able to play lots of games. It’s important that I stay fit and can be there when I’m needed to help the team. To play such an amount of games (54 of United’s 57 this season) at the highest level is a great feeling and I have become a better player and learnt a lot."

Personal highlights
"There are some little moments in games that you enjoy. For example, if you play against City and play against [Sergio] Aguero and do a great job or play against [Romelu] Lukaku and do a great job. They’re great strikers, but still I’m not doing it alone. I’m doing it with everyone around me, and you can enjoy those moments."

Ups and downs
"At Christmas, we were close to the top but then you get 14 injuries and that’s not something that helps the team. That’s not normal and lots of the players who were injured played regularly in the line-up or were on the bench. That makes you less strong but then the youngsters came in and did a great job and filled in with passion and fought for their place. That’s a good thing about this club, that you have the youth who is ready to perform."