Blind Answers Defensive Call

With injuries mounting in recent weeks, Manchester United have had to contend with a shortage in defence during the most crucial period of the season.

While Antonio Valencia has been in and out of the team suffering from fatigue, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have been sidelined for several games, before being joined by Marcos Rojo in the treatment room after he sustained a knee-ligament injury against Anderlecht last week.

The number of absentees at the back grew on Thursday after Jose Mourinho confirmed Tim Fosu-Mensah suffered “an important injury” following a collision late on in the goalless draw with Manchester City. 

But, when the team has needed stability and consistency in the business end of the campaign, Daley Blind has answered the call, stepped up to the plate and performed superbly to solve the defensive conundrum.

The versatile Dutchman, who has played most of his football at left-back this season, became accustomed to playing at centre-back under Louis van Gaal last term and had occupied the position on a handful of occasions earlier in 2016/17.  

In the wake of Rojo's injury, there had been talk that Reserves captain Axel Tuanzebe was in line for a first-team debut to fill the void. But Mourinho opted for Blind and he has repaid the faith with two impressive displays, slotting in seamlessly and striking up a solid partnership with Eric Bailly.

When asked about his own performances and linking up with Bailly, Blind told MUTV: “Yeah, I think it works out really well, in spite of the language [barrier]! We do a great job, and we understand each other.

“Not only us, but when I play with any of the other central defenders, I think the whole team knows what we have to do, and you can see that in the low number of goals we have against us this year. I'm happy with my performances and want to keep going.

“I'm always ready, if the manager asks me to do something. I'm always ready to play in midfield and I feel very good and comfortable in the centre-back position too. I will do whatever the manager asks and needs of me and do my best.”

Although largely untroubled by a shot-shy Burnley attack at Turf Moor, Blind had his hands full against Manchester City's multi-talented front four, amid the hotbed of the raucous derby atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium.

Nonetheless, his reading of the game and ability to play out calmly from the back under pressure was excellent, keeping the likes of Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane at bay and helping the Reds secure a second successive clean sheet since his return to the team.

With the games continuing to come thick and fast, United have had to handle another quick turnaround, with the Swansea match coming just 62 hours after the final whistle on Thursday night. But Blind insists the players can only do their best to ensure they are ready for the next challenge and feels that every match is like a cup final between now and the end of the season.

“[We can] only recover and prepare as well as we can. We'll look at each match, prepare, recover and be ready,” he added.

“Of course [it will be difficult], but we'll give everything we've got to finish in the top four. We have to play only finals now; we know it's a big game for them [Swansea] but it's a big game for us as well. We need to approach every game like that. There's still about a month to go, so only finals. We have to be ready for that.

“I think every team in the Premier League has different qualities and good players. We have to believe in ourselves; we're playing at home and want to win. It's a final again and we have to give everything – we want the three points.”