Louis van Gaal's penchant for fielding Manchester United players out of their natural positions has received a great deal of attention this term.
It was widely noted, for instance, that United's front four towards the end of the 3-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month featured one winger at centre-forward and one in a No 10 role, as well as a centre-forward out wide and a No 10 on the other flank.
To underline the point further, many acknowledged the presence of Marcos Rojo, a centre-half by trade, at left-back, and Daley Blind, nominally a midfield player, in the heart of the backline.
Some of Van Gaal’s decisions in this regard have been baffling, but his redeployment of Blind cannot be included in that category.
The use of the Dutchman in defence has been a success, as well as part of a wider trend that has seen many possession-based sides employ midfielders or players with qualities associated with the position at centre-back.
• Read more: Marcus Rashford example is Manchester United way with youth – would Jose Mourinho get it right?
• Also see: Manchester United stall Leicester City celebration, but Chelsea stop Spurs – PL predictions
Blind has demonstrated his versatility ever since moving to Old Trafford in 2014, the former Ajax man used as a left-back, a left wing-back, a central midfielder and a centre-half at various points in the last two seasons.
The majority of his appearances in 2015/16 have come in the middle of United's defence, however, with Blind making more Premier League starts than anyone else at the club.
The 26-year-old’s accurate passing has been important to a side who routinely dominate possession, with Blind’s intelligence, positioning and reading of the game other attributes that have seen him excel in the role.
United regularly face opponents who sit deep and allow them control of the ball – a game plan Leicester City will enact on Sunday – which heightens the need for a player with good distribution to form part of the back four.
Since many teams press United in midfield but are wary of closing down too high up the pitch, the players with the most time in possession are the central defenders, who are often relied upon to build the play and control the tempo – duties usually associated with players further up the park.
Van Gaal made that observation back in 1997, a few years after he had deployed former midfielder Frank Rijkaard in Ajax’s defence.
“In modern football the two centre-backs have really become the playmakers,” he said in The Coaching Philosophies of Louis van Gaal and the Ajax Coaches. “The No 10, behind the strikers, can’t be called a playmaker anymore because the space in which he operates is too restricted.”
It was for the same reason that Barcelona's Javier Mascherano was re-stationed at centre-back by Pep Guardiola, who has also frequently dropped Javi Martinez into Bayern Munich's backline.
Other top teams rely on centre-halves who possess the same technical characteristics as the traditional midfielder. Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels, Juventus' Leonardo Bonucci and Paris Saint-Germain's David Luiz are examples of central defenders who are adept at bringing the ball out from the back, thus allowing their forward-thinking teammates to remain in advanced positions.
Those sides who are content to cede possession and defend deep have less need for a centre-back in Blind’s mould, but the Netherlands international has proven himself to be an essential part of United’s approach under Van Gaal.
He has also exceeded expectations with regards to the physical side of the game, Everton's Romelu Lukaku coming off second best in his battle with the Dutchman in a Premier League encounter four weeks ago.
"I feel good in that position ... I've shown it's not only about strength but also quick thinking and being in the right position," Blind told United Review.
“I know my job and that’s why I’m in the middle as well, to play balls into the midfielders and then play from there. It’s about helping the build-up of the game and that’s one of my strengths.”
It may not be the position in which he started his career, but the use of Blind at centre-back has been an overwhelming success.
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
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EA%20Sports%20FC%2024
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'Munich: The Edge of War'
Director: Christian Schwochow
Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
Results:
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) | US$175,000 2,410m | Winner: Bin Battuta, Christophe Soumillon (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer)
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (Dirt) | $100,000 | 1,400m | Winner: Al Hayette, Fabrice Veron, Ismail Mohammed
7.40pm: Handicap (T) | $145,000 | 1,000m | Winner: Faatinah, Jim Crowley, David Hayes
8.15pm: Dubawi Stakes Group 3 (D) | $200,000 | 1,200m | Winner: Raven’s Corner, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
8.50pm: Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (T) | $200,000 | 1,800m | Winner: Dream Castle, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor
9.25pm: Handicap (T) | $175,000 | 1,400m | Winner: Another Batt, Connor Beasley, George Scott
Company%20Profile
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
Company%20Profile
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Tips%20for%20travelling%20while%20needing%20dialysis
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EInform%20your%20doctor%20about%20your%20plans.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAsk%20about%20your%20treatment%20so%20you%20know%20how%20it%20works.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPay%20attention%20to%20your%20health%20if%20you%20travel%20to%20a%20hot%20destination.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPlan%20your%20trip%20well.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
Managing the separation process
- Choose your nursery carefully in the first place
- Relax – and hopefully your child will follow suit
- Inform the staff in advance of your child’s likes and dislikes.
- If you need some extra time to talk to the teachers, make an appointment a few days in advance, rather than attempting to chat on your child’s first day
- The longer you stay, the more upset your child will become. As difficult as it is, walk away. Say a proper goodbye and reassure your child that you will be back
- Be patient. Your child might love it one day and hate it the next
- Stick at it. Don’t give up after the first day or week. It takes time for children to settle into a new routine.And, finally, don’t feel guilty.