There's no doubt about it, as Manchester United lined up with Radamel Falcao, Robin van Persie, Adnan Januzaj, Angel di Maria and Wayne Rooney for this afternoon's clash with Leicester City, you wouldn't have expected too many eyes to be placed on versatile Dutch midfielder Daley Blind.
After it was announced that Michael Carrick picked up another injury yesterday, many expected Spaniard Ander Herrera to come into the side, however Van Gaal opted for an extremely attacking side.
Easy afternoon
And, by half-time, it had clearly paid off as the Red Devils roared into a 3-0 lead. It was Blind, though, who played a key role in the more than satisfactory opening period.
In fact, it was the Dutchman who combined with his international teammate Robin van Persie to play a vital role in the Red Devils' opener.
A perfectly timed ball from Blind found the feet of Van Persie, who delightfully smashed the ball home. And the former Ajax man played his part in United's third of the afternoon, too, as his header nicked off Wes Morgan to just about put the game to bed as a contest.
A touch of class
United, of course, could lose Darren Fletcher in the coming days, and Blind has a touch of the Scotsman about him. He's almost a mix of Carrick and Fletcher: an ideal man in the centre of the park.
He was always on the ball; kept things simple, but always seemed to play the right pass - and sometimes a key one. It was a masterclass from the Dutchman.
After featuring at left wing-back of late, Blind most certainly looked at home in the middle of the park. Yes, he's versatile, but he's best in the central area of the pitch.
Will only get better
Of course, it was only Leicester City - and greater tests will await - but Blind has the class and quality to prove some of his critics wrong. There's no doubt about it, he's still finding his feet in England's elite division, but we may well see the best of him sooner rather than later.
There will be no Carrick for a little while, but with Blind around, United fans shouldn't be too worried.
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