1. Why not? Its been reported in different media outlets, same with Paddy McNair. You don't think LVG rates him? He's going to be offered a contract soon. His current one is up in summer. Want to take a friendly bet on it?
2. He doesn't just hoof it, he usually plays measured long balls and he's usually good at them. LVG likes us to pass out of the back, so its obvious Blackett is being instructed or encouraged to play it long because he's good at it. It seems you choose to only think of the instances where he missed his target and proceed to deem him a 'hoof the ball up' player. Have you taken notice of the many times when he found his man? People had no problems with his long balls when they were consistently finding their targets in pre-season and in games leading up to Burnley. After Burnley now he's a hoof the ball up player all of a sudden, its not true.
3. Yes, strong, quick and athletic, physical attributes that help defenders do their job more effectively. If Evans was more quick and strong on the ball he wouldn't struggle so much against pacy and physical strikers.
4. Yes, overall he has good anticipation. If you want to go back to preseason, he was one of our best players. Also, since you're okay with using examples from Preseason, look at the Real Madrid game, he kept Ronaldo in his pocket and matched him for pace. There was one instance when Ronaldo tried several dribbles and stepovers against Blackett and he failed to get past him. I guess you'll say Ronaldo wasn't match fit, but neither was anyone else really in pre-season.
Look at this video, 20 seconds in you'll see Blackett's excellent anticipation and positional awareness against best player in the world Ronaldo. The video is full of other instances where Blackett used his speed, skill and anticipation well against speedy players. Puts Evans to shame. After the 1 minute mark you see five instances where Blackett plays well measured long balls that find their target, hence why I say LVG probably gives him license to do so. He even made our defense look calm when he replaced Evans in the final game against Liverpool in Miami. Look at the entire video and you'll see why LVG made him a full member of the squad.
5. Why don't you care for passing stats? What context would suit you better? Forward passes? Pass completion? You may not care for passing but I'll tell who cares about it, LVG. LVG wants ball playing CBs and Blackett fits his philosophy. FYI Blackett has played and completed more forward passes than McNair this season, just as an example.
6. This is a moot point. Who bloody cares that he only got his chance because he's left footed? He took his chance well and the reality is that he's being rewarded with games. Yes, LVG took him because he's left footed, but he impressed him without a doubt. Keane obviously didn't impress him, Thorpe obviously hasn't impressed him. The theme here is LVG will only play you if he thinks you're good enough. IMO you're deluded in thinking Blackett isn't in this team on merit, and you're wasting your time thinking in alternative outcomes. Blackett is not on loan in the championship, he's a fully fledged member of Manchester United's first team and you can't take it, IMO.
