Manchester United

Paul Scholes: 'Jury still out on Daley Blind'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 12 September 2016

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes doubts whether Daley Blind can continue playing in central defence for the Red Devils.

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes remains unconvinced that Netherlands international Daley Blind is a long-term solution for the Red Devils at centre-back.

Blind was moulded into a central defender by Louis van Gaal last season and has started the 2016-17 campaign as Eric Bailly's partner at the heart of Jose Mourinho's defence, despite the presence of Chris Smalling.

The 26-year-old impressed in Man United's opening three Premier League fixtures, but was criticised for his display in the Manchester derby at the weekend, and Scholes doubts whether Blind has the physicality to play at the back.

"Blind is a better defensive midfielder for United than he is a centre-back, but he's been an excellent partner for Eric Bailly so far this season, hence why Chris Smalling is not in the team at the moment," Scholes is quoted as saying by the Manchester Evening News.

"Yet, he's not won everybody over yet. Why? Because he's physically limited in the Premier League and people are expecting him to be found at some point. I suppose I still am, and against City he was found wanting against a dynamic Kevin de Bruyne. I would rather see Smalling partner Bailly in the long-term."

Blind joined Man United from Ajax in the summer of 2014.