Daley Blind reveals where he wants to play for Manchester United this season

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By Duaine Ansong

Published Jul 22, 2017

Daley Blind is one of the most versatile footballers in Europe - but he does have a preferred position

If there is one man who perfectly defines the term "versatility" in modern football right now, it's probably Manchester United's Daley Blind.

Having been brought up through the ranks at Ajax, the classy 27-year-old is comfortable playing in a number of different positions and is an extremely useful member of Jose Mourinho's squad.

He only joined from the Dutch giants in 2014, but he's already racked up 124 appearances for United, scoring five goals and playing more minutes than anyone else for the club in 2015-16.

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That said, Blind's current deal with the Red Devils only runs until the summer of 2018 and the technically gifted Dutchman is yet to agree a contract extension.

Amid some uncertainty, Blind has been addressing his future at Old Trafford, and he also revealed where he wants to play for Mourinho's men in the upcoming season.

With regards to his contract situation, Blind has insisted that he's determined to stay at Man United and hopes to remain at the club beyond his existing deal.

Speaking to Pro Soccer Talk, the intelligent defender said, via Manchester Evening News: "I have one more year left (on his contract) after this one and I am very happy at United.

"I play a lot of games and I am looking forward to the new season. About my contract, I can’t really say anything.

"You have to ask the directors and the club, but of course, which player wouldn’t want to stay at United? I am very happy, that’s the only thing I can say.”

As already mentioned, Blind is incredibly versatile, having featured at centre-back, left-back and even in a defensive midfield role during his three years in Manchester.

While admitting that he is more than happy to play wherever the team needs him, the Netherlands international did state the position in which he prefers to play.

"I just want to play, and where the manager needs me, I do my utmost best and give everything I have," he continued.

"I think the people know that I have a little bit of a preference to play left centre-back. If I play left-back all season, I would be happy there too, but for me it is just important that I am close to the team.

"I want to play. I want to start. That’s the thing I work hard for and that’s what makes me happy. For me it’s simple, I want to play and be on the pitch and want to do everything for that."

Blind has started all three of United's pre-season games so far, against LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake and Manchester City, but in each one, he's been deployed at left-back.

Mourinho's other choices in that role are Luke Shaw and Matteo Darmian, and it looks relatively unlikely that Blind will get regular playing time as a central defender.

Not only did Eric Bailly establish himself as United's best centre-back last season, but the club also signed Victor Lindelof from Benfica this summer for £31 million.

That duo are widely expected to be Man Utd's first-choice central defensive pairing this year, but there is very stiff competition for places in Blind's favoured position.

Let's not forget about Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, the currently injured and much-improved Marcos Rojo, and even youngsters like Axel Tuanzebe and Timothy Fosu-Mensah.