Blind faith: Why Daley is a key man for Louis Van Gaal at Manchester United

By Jamie Thomas.

He may be one of Manchester United’s cheapest signings of recent times, but versatile Dutch ace Daley Blind has shown his true worth at Old Trafford since joining for £13.8million from Ajax last September.

Although he’s not a player to fill up the stats sheet with goals, his significance to the United team has largely been overlooked until now. I’ve watched every game Daley’s played in that red shirt, and, let me tell you, he’s been crucial since day one.

But following another great performance in the engine room of United’s midfield during the weekend’s win over Leicester, no one can deny his emergence as a key man.

Former United star Gary Neville has criticised that sometimes he doesn’t send those searching balls forward that United fans have been used to from Paul Scholes or Michael Carrick over the years. While I take his point, I would argue that barely anyone seems to find the runs of the strikers in that team on a regular basis, so to limit that to Blind is unfair.

The 24-year-old’s significance lies in the work he does defensively and two games stick out for me – Southampton at home and Manchester City away. In last month’s defeat by Saints, he put in a power of work in defensive midfield, at centre-back and wing-back. Ok, the result didn’t go our way but his performance was a highlight.

I’ve been a huge Blind fan since I first watched him help Ajax thrash Willem II in 2013 and knew when he arrived he would be essential to the team, but not for just what he can offer on the pitch. He has a trusted relationship with fellow countryman and gaffer Louis van Gaal.

At Van Gaal’s first press conference a lot of the questions hinted at the Dutchman’s fiery personality, with some questioning whether he was autocratic or even dictatorial in his management style.

He’s garnered a reputation having fallen out with the media at Barcelona and Rivaldo (twice), while in his second spell at Ajax he had ‘an internal conflict’ with former assistant Ronald Koeman and he was sacked by Bayern Munich after dropping out of the top two in Germany.

It’s understandable, then, that Van Gaal likes to surround himself with those he can trust. Blind is part of his Dutch masterplan. He had an exceptional World Cup for Holland in a number of positions which has continued at United. While Roma’s Kevin Strootman moved to the top of our signing targets because LVG is a big admirer of him, having worked together while managing their national team.

You also see it in his continued support of Robin van Persie. At Stoke last month Radamel Falcao was the one to make way, despite RVP having barely any touches on the ball compared to his Colombian strike partner. And after netting his first goal against Everton, the former Atletico Madrid striker was dropped from the starting line-up for the next run of games while the Dutchman kept his place.

Van Gaal insisted Falcao was building up his fitness but I don’t think anyone outside of the United management team would say he looks any more lacking in fitness than Van Persie. It’s clear he keeps getting the nod because of the gaffer’s belief in him.

Blind has joined RVP in being one of those key players whose significance goes beyond their on-field ability. LVG will be hoping they repay his faith in them by securing a top-four finish come May.

Read more from Jamie Thomas here.

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