There was a moment near the end where the Czech's broke, Martins Indi raced out to close the guy with the ball down and Blind tracked the central runner and cut off the passing avenue to him, simple stuff I know but it was good to see the awareness instead of getting drawn to the ball that was on his side of the field.
17
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 29
- Clean sheets
- 9
- Goals
- 2
- Assists
- 3
- Yellow cards
- 4
Yep, I was impressed by that. He doesn't have the pace to recover ground like Jones would for instance, but he is positionally excellent and intelligence - as vague as that sounds - is his best asset.
On a side-note: did anyone notice how infield Blind was playing at times? His positioning there was quite prevalent and I don't know if it was under instruction or not, but it seemed a bit odd. A few times when the Czech's initiated a counter they exposed his flank and you would look back to see him centrally.
From what I've seen of him he's a very intelligent player, a managers dream.
Did he play as LB or CDM? How did he do?
Article from ESPN talking about Frank de Boer on Blind's preferences:
I think Blind will need some time to adopt - not only because of the league but also United playing different than Ajax under de Boer.
Hopefully we will give him a run as DM/CM and not make experiments.
I suppose so - but I am sure there would be games where he subs Shaw/Rojo off and puts Blind in there. Thats the thing about this man- the flexibility will give us various tactical options during a game as well. There were Holland games where he played all 3 positions!
Was I the only one who nearly shit him self reading the manutd.com headline 'Dutch reds suffer injury-time woe'.. I thought Blind was injured for a split second
me too.
blind picture was under that headline.Blind 17 sounds like a Japanese / Chinese movie about a group of mystical assassins.
He's apparently a CB according to that moron Robbie Savage, who I think only put him in there ahead of Evans in order to have a pop about having no youth products in the team.
Exactly what I thought when I read that nonsense this morning. Agendas flying around everywhere from within the industry at the moment.What do you mean by "agendas flying around the industry at the moment"?
Many current managers, ex-manager's, pro's and ex-pro's passing comment on all things United at the moment, most of which is unsubstantiated and sometimes total nonsense.
I believe the lack of knowledge of these pundits about Daley Blind has been remarkable, so too the hoopla about Wellbeck leaving United to join Arsenal. It happened nearly two weeks ago, and the media still can't let it go it seems.
Including our very own Paul Scholes
So it looks like his debut will probably be at left wing back if Shaw, James, Smalling and Jones are out. Which is bound to confuse people.
For what it's worth the boss said he likes Blind as a defensive midfielder, would certainly support Sky's claims he has been brought in to play as such.
I wish I had his hair.
Also, excited to see what he can bring to the side as a DM.
Also, excited to see what he can bring to the side as a DM.
Definitely so even if that isnt the case tomorrow due to shaw not being fully fit.
Most of the media think Rojo and Blind are leftbacks. They're gonna be so confused to see them both in the team, with Shaw at left back
Just his hair?
I was thinking the same.Most of the media think Rojo and Blind are leftbacks. They're gonna be so confused to see them both in the team, with Shaw at left back
Even Gary Neville was saying few weeks ago how we will strengthen in the LB department (Blind was not official ours) and Carragher was saying that we don't need 3 LB's. I was just WTF do you really can't just open the internet for a second and look where this players really play.
It will be funny to see their reaction when the team is announced and their predictions and the way they change their tune at fulltime.Most of the media think Rojo and Blind are leftbacks. They're gonna be so confused to see them both in the team, with Shaw at left back
Most of the media think Rojo and Blind are leftbacks. They're gonna be so confused to see them both in the team, with Shaw at left back
Couple of games in van Gaal will be hailed as a wizard for turning these two left backs into a centre back and a midfielder! The current crop of commentators are really sub par!
As I'm also an Ajax supporter, just when to their website and clicked on a video, watch this http://www.ajax.nl/Ajax-TV/198127/Ajax-Heracles-Almelo-200.htm . 0:20, this is typical Blind stuff you can expect here at United. He is so tidy, smart, has great vision and his technique is very good, ofcourse this level is lower than in the PL, but when he adapts for us, he'll be great.
He's going to be a big upgrade on Fletcher. Also hoping he's got Herrera and di Maria playing beside him.
Craig Burley called him Danny Blind today on ESPN FC. Danny's a bit old to be playing football.
ESPN FC has shit pundits. Like each and everyone of them is a fecking useless piece of garbage.
No he wasn't. For the season you're referring to - Marco Reus was the Bundesliga player of the year.
http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=ger/news/newsid=1838840.html for 2011/ 2012.
Kagawa was only a fictional Bundesliga player of the year for shite websites including the ever reliable daily mail :
Not one time but twice. Good job Daily Mail.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...rid--reveals-Jose-Mourinho.html#ixzz3CI7RST8m
As for the rest of the post :
1. Yes he did. His role under De Boer was as a #6 and Blind was excellent. Nothing flashy but the most effective #6s aren't supposed to be flashy. Just look at the best CDM of his generation - Sergio Busquets.
2. Patty Evra is 5'7" and was torn to shreds in his debut appearance. De Gea was a stickinsect when he first arrived at United. But both of them went on to have great careers. I don't think the physicality part will make much of a difference for an intelligent player like Daley when people like Mata or Silva can play at the highest level. And apart from a little lack of pace Blind isn't physically weak.
3. Can I borrow the crystal ball ? Pretty please ?
4. Blind has a great first touch, good awareness, tacticaly astute, technically proficient and has a good passing range bordering on very good at times. He played brilliantly when Ajax faced one of the best pressing teams in modern football Barcelona and beat them, also did really well vs another great hound press team in Dortmund. He'll do the same in the Premier League.
5. About the rest I wouldn't say much because admittedly you've only seen a few matches and youtube videos. It's not a good enough sample size. But even then Blind was one of the revelations of this World Cup - gave 3 assists and scored 1, playing in a mainly LWB and LCB position - not his first choice position anymore. I dunno the last time Cleverley did that TBH. Also his great technique and tactical knowledge was on display throughout the tournament.
Blind will be a good player for United. He may struggle a bit at first but like most intelligent players he'll adapt. If he wasn't then Van Gaal wouldn't have bought him.
Great post.
I'd also add some points to the Bundesliga player of the year discussion because there seem to be some misunderstandings regarding that topic.
There are 2 awards in Germany.
One is the VDV (Vereinigung der Vertragsfußballspieler: the German equivalent to FIFPro) Player of the Season Award. This is the award which is commonly called 'Bundesliga Player of the year/season'.
It's voted for by all professional players who are members of VDV and every proffesional who plays in the Bundesliga can receive it.
Taken into consideration are (or should be) performances in the national competitions only: Bundesliga and German FA Cup (DFB Pokal).
It's the less prestigious and newer of the two awards in Germany.
The more prestigious award is the Player of the Year in Germany Award (Fussballer des Jahres).
It's voted for by the VDS (Verband Deutscher Sportjournalisten / Association of German Sports Journalists).
Additionally to every Bundesliga player all German players abroad can receive this award (which hasn't happend since the end of the 90's and the decline of Serie A).
Taken into consideration are all club performances (league, national cups, EL, CL) and all performances for the player's country.
Kagawa has won neither and actually finished outside the top 3 in both awards.
In 2011/12 Reus won both those awards.
Bundesliag Player of the season 11/12:
1.Reus (30% of the votes) 2.Ribery (16%) 3.Huntelaar (13%)
Player of the Year in Germany:
1.Reus (26%) 2.Hummels (13%) 3.Lewandowski (11%) 4.Kagawa (8%)
Sometimes it happens though that different players receive the awards.
In 13/14 Reus won the 'Bundesliag Player of the Season' award while Neuer won the 'Player of the Year in Germany' award on the back of his WC performances.
Kagawa won player of the year in some magazine vote I think. Certainly nothing official but he was voted the best player somewhere by some people
Kagawa won "best player in the Bundesliga voted by Manchester United fans after he signed for United" award.
His United debut, he'll polarise some United fans I feel. Maybe time to change the title to "Daley Blind 2014/15 Performances".
Man Utd 4:0 Q.P.R.
looks like hes in the 5th season with us , composed , calm
Impressed by Blind so far. Quick, one touch passing. The difference a competent midfield makes...
Could do with a bit more strength in that holding mid position, but on the ball he's excellent.
Perfect cover for di Maria and Herrera.