[2mufc0]

No it's not. I doubt Blind will be our long term CB long term

Agree and hope he's not, as mentioned so many times he looks great when there is no pressure on us like yesterday but when we re under the cosh he's not good enough. I would take Rojo at CB over him.

 

[Loublaze]

Agree and hope he's not, as mentioned so many times he looks great when there is no pressure on us like yesterday but when we re under the cosh he's not good enough. I would take Rojo at CB over him.

Shocking, even after Blind played close to 50 games last season in that role playing in the joint meanest defence in the league (alongside Spurs). Blind faced a lot of pressure and even had Lukaku in his pocket twice. He's been far better than Rojo as a CB in his time at United

 

[Giant Midget]

Shocking, even after Blind played close to 50 games last season in that role playing in the joint meanest defence in the league (alongside Spurs). Blind faced a lot of pressure and even had Lukaku in his pocket twice. He's been far better than Rojo as a CB in his time at United

That myth again. While we had the joint-meanest defense, a lot of it was due to the risk-averse possession football we played. We simply took no risks with the ball, passing it from side to side with no threat to either the opposition goal or our own. Any time we fell behind and actually opened up to chase a game, we crumbled under the pressure. Our defense was nothing special.

 

[Loublaze]

That myth again. While we had the joint-meanest defense, a lot of it was due to the risk-averse possession football we played. We simply took no risks with the ball, passing it from side to side with no threat to either the opposition goal or our own. Any time we fell behind and actually opened up to chase a game, we crumbled under the pressure. Our defense was nothing special.

You're responding with a myth here, as if that happened everytime, enough to come to that conclusion. An ill equipped set of players will wilt over the course of a season no matter how the team is set up to play. You're completely discrediting United's defensive record last season and I find that perplexing. Rojo hasn't faced any real pressure himself, and he usually shits himself when he does. Its no surprise LVG preferred Blind and it appears that Mourinho does too.

 

[Loublaze]

Blind is not consistent enough and it showed earlier this season. Hence he was dropped

He was dropped because Smalling was preferred to partner with Bailly once he got his fitness back. I think that was always Mourinho's preferred starting defensive partnership and still is. It had nothing to do with Blind's performance as he opened the season very well with Bailly, getting a few clean sheets. You can't squeeze 5 in a back four

 

[Escobar]

He was dropped because Smalling was preferred to partner with Bailly once he got his fitness back. I think that was always Mourinho's preferred starting defensive partnership and still is. It had nothing to do with Blind's performance as he opened the season very well with Bailly, getting a few clean sheets. You can't squeeze 5 in a back four

If Blind would have been undroppable, Jose wouldn't have dropped him

 

[Escobar]

Agree and hope he's not, as mentioned so many times he looks great when there is no pressure on us like yesterday but when we re under the cosh he's not good enough. I would take Rojo at CB over him.

When teams put us under pressure, we cracked, with Blind being a reason as well. People forget that he had poor games and people doubted he could make it as a CB

 

[Loublaze]

If Blind would have been undroppable, Jose wouldn't have dropped him

Smalling was fully fit for the Fyenoord game (first leg that we lost 1-0) and that was his first start this season. The game before that was the 2-1 home loss to City. Blind started that and it was his first poor game (the whole team was poor, even Bailly). Blind and Bailly started 3 league games before that and had two clean sheets. Smalling reclaimed his place once fit because he was the preferred starting CB. The only 'undroppable' out field players this season have been Pogba and Ibrahimovich

 

[criticalanalysis]

Blind has showed nothing to suggests he might cut it in midfield in the PL. The few times he's played there he's got overrun way too many times, and he's not got enough time on the ball play his killer passes. At CB he's got all the time in the world to ping his passes around to great effect.

I'm more than happy to be proved wrong but I just don't see it.

I'd agree with this but at the same time I think his time at CB has improved his awareness of the game's physicality and playing in Utd's varying systems. Ultimately, he's simply a mis-match at the DM position imo but this guy has proven us wrong so many times.

I'll like to see him there against weaker opposition for which I think he could do a job BUT at the same time offer that same passing bravery and incisiveness. Long term, we still need to be playing a 3 man midfield with a technically and physically strong, robust and tactically astute deep lying midfielder alongside Herrera and Pogba against the top teams.

 

[Bojan11]

Why do people keep saying he had Lukaku in his pocket twice? Perhaps in the Old Trafford game.

But in the FA Cup semi final, I recall Lukaku missing about 5 good chances. Lukaku had himself in his pocket that game. I wouldn't be confident if we go to Goodison in a few weeks with Blind as the centre back.

 

[The United]

When teams put us under pressure, we cracked, with Blind being a reason as well. People forget that he had poor games and people doubted he could make it as a CB

Funny people are saying like we didn't crack under any pressure with some other CB pairs.

Fact is we were vulnerable at times this season when Blind was not playing at all as well. It is just that we are not exactly getting there as a team for now under jose. We should get better at it.

 

[The United]

Why do people keep saying he had Lukaku in his pocket twice? Perhaps in the Old Trafford game.

But in the FA Cup semi final, I recall Lukaku missing about 5 good chances. Lukaku had himself in his pocket that game. I wouldn't be confident if we go to Goodison in a few weeks with Blind as the centre back.

Because whenever Blind had to deal with him, he did well.

If Lukaku attacked from somewhere else and got a chance, then it has nothing to do with him. Blind was not supposed to follow him all over the place to man mark.

Watch the game again and you will see.

 

[Devil may care]

Mr Reliable, I'm hoping Shaw gets back into form soon but Blind is a player I'm comfortable seeing come in at CB or LB, if anything he's the best attacking LB we have.

 

[Bojan11]

Mr Reliable, I'm hoping Shaw gets back into form soon but Blind is a player I'm comfortable seeing come in at CB or LB, if anything he's the best attacking LB we have.

Feghouli had a few decent chances coming from his side in the last few minutes.

He wasn't great, but he wasn't bad too.

 

[kirk buttercup]

I prefer him to shaw to be honest

 

[Sylar]

I prefer him to shaw to be honest

Currently yeah. Long term, we need to get Shaw built up in terms of confidence so that he can become our left hand side threat. Theres no reason he cant if he just puts in the work (which it seems like hes doing). Just stay away from media, complaining and wait his time whilst working hard. He will win over Jose.

 

[Devil may care]

Little bit worried about him, as soon as Jose had a chance to replace him as a CB he did and he now seems to be 3rd choice LB.

 

[Bobcat]

Little bit worried about him, as soon as Jose had a chance to replace him as a CB he did and he now seems to be 3rd choice LB.

Why Darmian is ahead of him there is just a mystery. Not only is Blind the better defender, his is a much, much better passer

 

[Devil may care]

Someone might throw some stats in my face but he just didn't seem very involved tonight.

 

[MounchesterUtd]

Makes us look so good moving forward playing that LB spot. Wonder how much he'll cost in today's market.

 

[Pexbo]

No longer in Mourinho's centre back plans reading between the lines of his recent interview. Talking about the need for Smalling to get back to fitness he name checked every centre back but him and said we've got a lot of games coming up and it could be difficult.

I guess that means he's a specialist left back now which isn't the worst thing although I'd rather Darmian didn't get picked ahead of him there if that's the case. It's strange how his stock has fallen with Mourinho after the initial talk of him proving to be an ideal student with whom Mourinho was said to be very impressed.

 

[TheSweeper]

Been easily top players 5 best players in the squad for 2 seasons straight. If Jose chucks him out I will be baffled & would show we are turning in to physical rather than technial ability. We should have a balance of both.

 

[ZDwyr]

I think he's our best LB at the moment and I'd be playing him every week. Unless the opposition have a RW with real pace, then probably Shaw is the better choice.

 

[Litch]

For me he's the John O'Shea, Phil Nev or Darren Fletch.....nothing spectacular but 7/10 Consistent versatile player that will be here for a decade when so called better players will have been sold. Shaw for me has some way to go and actually no way near justified his price tag.

 

[ivaldo]

For me he's the John O'Shea, Phil Nev or Darren Fletch.....nothing spectacular but 7/10 Consistent versatile player that will be here for a decade when so called better players will have been sold. Shaw for me has some way to go and actually no way near justified his price tag.

I can see your point but I think that's a little harsh, he's technically a far superior player than those. Those aforementioned players were picked in specialists roles to restrict the opposition, Blinds skillset means we can pick him to exploit them with his passing.

 

[Litch]

I can see your point but I think that's a little harsh, he's technically a far superior player than those. Those aforementioned players were picked in specialists roles to restrict the opposition, Blinds skillset means we can pick him to exploit them with his passing.

No reference to technical ability as clearly he's better than those players but more reference to a great squad player but never quite good enough to hold a position in the starting 11.

 

[TheSweeper]

No reference to technical ability as clearly he's better than those players but more reference to a great squad player but never quite good enough to hold a position in the starting 11.

A game of football is not won by having the best starting 11. It's based on the weaknesses of the opponent as well as things like form. Blind should always Atleast be a substitute player if not a starter. He has many abilities to be to influential starting a game or coming in to the game to provide something not only that we might be lacking but also he is a player that a lot of other teams do not have in terms of his skillset.

He is & should be a first team player. Most games we play we play under possession. This makes picking Smalling or Jones npt always the best player to utilize.

 

[Litch]

A game of football is not won by having the best starting 11. It's based on the weaknesses of the opponent as well as things like form. Blind should always Atleast be a substitute player if not a starter. He has many abilities to be to influential starting a game or coming in to the game to provide something not only that we might be lacking but also he is a player that a lot of other teams do not have in terms of his skillset.

He is & should be a first team player. Most games we play we play under possession. This makes picking Smalling or Jones npt always the best player to utilize.

Like I said, first team no issues but where I think we should be, he's not good enough to start as even those in front of him I'd argue aren't good enough either.

 

[TheSweeper]

Like I said, first team no issues but where I think we should be, he's not good enough to start as even those in front of him I'd argue aren't good enough either.

Sure that's your view and I accept but I believe to get where we want to be we have to incorporate players like Blind & Mata.

The latter went from a squad player to a first team player not because ' he impressed the manager' but because if Jose sticks to his tried and tested tactics - things will become much harder than it is now. Likewise for blind & Herrera.

A balance between physicality & technicality is important because he doesn't have a clean slate as he usually gets at his other clubs.

 

[Devil may care]

Solid game, didn't have a winger to play against most of the time.

 

[Sylar]

Cant remember any threat coming up against him. He was sweeping up nicely and linked up well on the left hand side for attack.

 

[Kraftwerker]

I love him at left back. We look so solid.

Not exactly good for overlaps etc but I think he can work fine there when we have Tony V on the other side bombing forward.

 

[The United]

I love him at left back. We look so solid.

Not exactly good for overlaps etc but I think he can work fine there when we have Tony V on the other side bombing forward.

It is a bit strange on left side. It does not look like our left backs are overlapping too much. Same with shaw. But then again on the right side, we have tons of spaces usually due to mata playing inside more than outside so tony V seems to have lots of space to go forward.

I always think it is because of how jose likes us to play. That not overlapping too much like we used to under SAF.

 

[Kraftwerker]

It is a bit strange on left side. It does not look like our left backs are overlapping too much. Same with shaw. But then again on the right side, we have tons of spaces usually due to mata playing inside more than outside so tony V seems to have lots of space to go forward.

I always think it is because of how jose likes us to play. That not overlapping too much like we used to under SAF.

Yeah the lobsided approach to fullbacks is a common trait with Jose and Ferguson.

I personally don't mind it and think Blind is almost perfect for it given his experience at CB (i.e. When the RB rampages forward Blind can hold position and effectively form a 3 at the back with the other two CB)

 

[Chorley1974]

He's a a very solid LB and CB, and I think he can do the Carrick role as well. A great squad player, I think the question is whether he can make a position his own. I'd love to see him step into holding midfield replacing Carrick.

 

[Jaybomb]

His future is at LB in my opinion. I prefer seeing him there over Shaw. Cause his crossing and overall positioning/passing is better.

We need Daley Blind on the pitch more than Luke Shaw.

 

[simonhch]

He's a a very solid LB and CB, and I think he can do the Carrick role as well. A great squad player, I think the question is whether he can make a position his own. I'd love to see him step into holding midfield replacing Carrick.

Not good enough at CDM for me. He's hardly played there for 3 years. It's completely different to playing at the back, where all the play is in front of you. He's a cb, or lb for my money. Every time I saw him play at cm for us, he was horrific. Whereas, he has the best wide ball delivery at the club IMO.

 

[The United]

Not good enough at CDM for me. He's hardly played there for 3 years. It's completely different to playing at the back, where all the play is in front of you. He's a cb, or lb for my money. Every time I saw him play at cm for us, he was horrific. Whereas, he has the best wide ball delivery at the club IMO.

Tbf, it is still hard to judge him at cm/dcm.

When he played there in his first season for us, he was usually playing behind di maria and rooney as midfielders. Even the prime Keano would struggle a tad in that kind of set up and team.

 

[Bwuk]

Would like to see him given a chance at holding midfield before the end of the season.

Played well at left back yesterday. He's the best left back at the club, although still unsure what his best position is, as I also rate him at CB!

 

[Sammyjunn]

Tbf, it is still hard to judge him at cm/dcm.

When he played there in his first season for us, he was usually playing behind di maria and rooney as midfielders. Even the prime Keano would struggle a tad in that kind of set up and team.

Argued this a few times, no one seemed to care , we played a 4141 with Blind as DM and 4 AM in Young, Herrera, Fellaini, Mata before him, that was so unfair to judge him. (Di Maria was benched at that time). In home matches it would work against smaller teams but against bigger teams just such an unbalanced set up.