Blind Convinced Reds Will Finish In Top 4

Daley Blind admits Manchester United will need to stay focused over the coming weeks if the Reds are to have any chance of maintaining the competitive run on all four fronts, but is convinced the club will finish in the top four this term.

United do not play again in the Premier League until 4 March when Bournemouth visit Old Trafford. Jose Mourinho's men face French side Saint-Etienne twice in the Europa League, Southampton in the EFL Cup final and a trip to Ewood Park to take on Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup, all within the space of 10 days.

The Dutchman, speaking to MUTV after United’s comfortable 2-0 win over Watford on Saturday, said: “It will be close and we’ll need to focus and win our games but I’m sure we’ll be in the top four by the end of season.”

The 26-year-old insists that, despite the games coming thick and fast, the team are ready for the challenge, adding: “You want to play games as players. We’ve still got a lot to fight for, including a final, so we’re all looking forward to it.”

Despite the attention on the performances of attackers Juan Mata and Anthony Martial, United's two goalscorers against the Hornets, the win means the Reds have now kept four consecutive clean sheets.

“It’s always nice to get clean sheets and for defenders to have that confidence,” explained Blind. “We have so many players with pace and creative players. I’m happy to play on the same team as these kinds of players.”

Despite the relatively comfortable nature of the victory, the Reds perhaps should have killed the game off earlier and this is something Blind believes is vital. 

“You want to finish the chances. The second goal was good for Anthony and well deserved,” he said.

“We deserved to win and created many chances. We could have finished more of the chances; everyone wanted the ball. The second half was more difficult as they changed their system a bit but, overall, it was a good win.”

Next up for United is Saint-Etienne in the Europa League Round of 32 at Old Trafford on Thursday and the Reds will be looking to take a lead into the away leg.