Gary Neville runs rule over Man United’s makeshift centre-half Daley Blind
Manchester United legend Gary Neville runs rule over Daley Blind's performances at centre-half so far
Gary Neville says he has been impressed with Manchester United defender Daley Blind’s performances at centre-half so far this season.
The Netherlands international has shown his versatility by filling in at centre-half alongside Chris Smalling for their opening two games of the Premier League season.
The United duo have orchestrated back-to-back clean sheets as the Red Devils sealed 1-0 victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa.
But former England right-back Neville still believes Blind is merely a stop-gap for the United side until Van Gaal signs a world-class centre-half.
“Everyone thought they were going to sign a Ramos or an (Nicolas) Otamendi – those types of players – and that a big player would have been signed in the centre-back position,” Neville told Sky Sports.
“I don’t think anyone would have foreseen Daley Blind playing centre-back. I gave him man-of-the-match on Friday night [against Aston Villa] but I think it’s more of a stop-gap rather than a long-term solution. He knows what Van Gaal wants.”
Blind was initially brought to United from Ajax to play in midfield, but Van Gaal has opted to deploy the 25-year-old at centre-half and left-back since his transfer last summer.
The Red Devils face Belgian side Club Brugge in the first leg of their Champions League play-off at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
Van Gaal’s side welcome Newcastle United to Old Trafford in their next fixture in the Premier League.
