I joined Manchester United only because of Louis Van Gaal: Daley Blind

Gary Neville has accused Daley Blind of not being attack-minded

Manchester United midfielder Daley Blind has defended manager Louis Van Gaal’s style of play and reaffirmed that possession-based passing is the right approach for the club. Blind also said that Van Gaal was a major factor for him to join the red devils.

Blind said, “He expects a lot from his players, he is very honest and direct about what he wants. That is a good thing, though – he makes players better and he makes teams better. I like that in a coach. It was the same when I was with him with Holland. He is honest and clear. He wants the team to get better and as the team improves individuals start to stand out as well.”

Gary Neville had recently accused the Dutchman of passing sideways too much. Neville added that Blind would rather hold onto the ball than take an attacking approach.

Blind added, “The people on television can say what they want – I can take a bit of criticism. I think I have played some good games. Sometimes you can play the ball forward but sometimes it is good to keep possession and make your team-mates play better. I can make other players more important than myself. If there is space forward then I will play that ball but if not you can switch from side to side and search for the players who can make an individual action.”

Neville also questioned the core of Van Gaal’s style of play – the build up. He said that it was too slow and eventually fizzled out. Blind retorted, “I don’t think the whole philosophy of the club has changed. If you have played another system for a long time then you have to get used to a new one, but that is not a problem.”

Blind added that there are always people on TV, who need to sensationalise thing. He said, “That’s how TV works.”