Daley Blind believes that he is smart enough to hold down a place in Manchester United’s defence.
The versatile Dutchman played alongside Chris Smalling at centre-back as the Red Devils began their Premier League season with a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo were missing for the match at Old Trafford, while United have been linked with a host of possible defensive signings, including Real Madrid superstar Sergio Ramos.
Blind, who spent most of his debut season at United playing in midfield or at left-back, admits that he lacks the physicality of a traditional centre-back, but feels that he can compensate upstairs.
He is quoted by The Sun as saying: “I got a chance on this occasion and I tried my best.
“Of course, people always say I don’t have the height or the power but I think I’m clever enough and smart enough.
“I think we did well at the back. Together with Smalling, Luke Shaw and Matteo Darmian, we got a clean sheet so I was happy.”
Louis van Gaal predominantly used Blind on the left side of a defensive three in his spell in charge of the Netherlands, and then paid £13.8m to sign him from Ajax upon arriving in Manchester last summer.
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