for those of you mentioning that he won the player of the year in Netherlands. Kagawa won the player of the year in Bundesliga and failed to impress at old trafford. Even at his preffered role he didnt impress and say whatever you want. Premier League is just different level phisicaly. Also Ajax dominates the league. We will struggle to get to top four and will be robbed of points from the "weakest" of sides. The intensity of away matches is intense and a lot of oppositions tend to press us higher than ever even at Old Trafford because they know we will be struggling to keep possession. He looked like Cleverley in that role maybe better composed but I hardly seen of him more than this world cup and couple of u2be vids to be honest. He didnt impressed me at all and I dont think he is the player on the level who whould be broght in, if he was 20 Id say okay hes got time.. but yeah hes almost 25.. anyway I'll be surprised if he turns out to be better than squad player in the future but certainly his role this year is huge and he must perform and I wish him good luck to positively surprise me. If anything I dont want to see Fletcher starting for us for more than cameos so Im glad with this signing because we obviously cant bring everyone in one window..
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 :
Two-time Bundesliga Player of the Year Kagawa helped Dortmund to their title glory in 2012, attracting attention from Europe’s elite clubs.
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.