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Daley Blind needs to remain at Manchester United

By Josh McSwain

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Daley Blind of Manchester United challenges Lucas Akins of Burton Albion for the ball during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Burton Albion at Old Trafford on September 20, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Daley Blind of Manchester United challenges Lucas Akins of Burton Albion for the ball during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Burton Albion at Old Trafford on September 20, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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There are rumors swirling that Blind, a utility player that has lined up in the midfield and on defense, is looking to leave Old Trafford. While he is not the main attraction, he is still a valuable player that United must hold onto.

Oh look, Luke Shaw is injured again. Wait, now Phil Jones is hitting up the trainer’s room again. Those have been too frequent sightings for United fans over the last few years. To have a guy that can step in on the back-end and handle just about any position is a valuable piece indeed. While you won’t find any highlight reel goals next to Blind’s name, his contributions are still needed.

Blind’s father just revealed that there are a few guys that Mourinho has at his core and the rest are expendable–with Blind falling into the latter. While I agree that he’s not a team cornerstone his presence on the team cannot be taken for granted.

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Fenerbahce, the same team that took Robin Van Persie after his spell at Old Trafford, is looking into Blind according to reports. A bid for him could be made in January. It has been a bit of a slow start to the season for Blind in the Premier League. He has just 270 minutes in the first seven games in league action.

Why he should stay

However, that ignores his effectiveness in the Champions League so far. Blind is a grinder, a versatile guy that has done a good job in the group stages. He has been at wing back or a left back and done well. The bottom line is I’d feel more comfortable with him than Chris Smalling, Victor Lindelof, Ashley Young or Matteo Darmian as United chases a Premier League title and to advance in the Champions League.

Blind has better ball skills than the other guys. He passes better and can produce more offensively than any of those guys except maybe Young. Darmian still has strange lapses in judgement like he did against Stoke and Lindelof is still being brought along slowly.

Next: Rashford to return to striker for United?

I sure hope this is just another product of the short silly season and that Blind stays in red.

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