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Daley Blind has insisted he is good enough to be Manchester United's regular centre back this season.
The Dutchman started there alongside Chris Smalling in United's opening day victory over Tottenham, and now maintains he could do the job on a more permanent basis.
Louis Van Gaal has been criticised for not signing a new centre back despite his side's obvious deficiencies in the position.
Many have been concerned that the slight Blind does not have the physicality to play the position, however the Dutchman has said he is clever enough to keep the league's best strikers at bay.
He told MUTV: “I’ve said many times before that I just want to play.
“If you see what everyone can add to the team, then it’s a real battle for places and everyone had to fight for a position.
Show all 23 1 /23Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Sergio Romero He's no David de Gea. The Argentinian had a mixed bag of an afternoon. Impressive in some aspects, but poor in others. He is yet to fully convince. 6
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Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Matteo Darmian The majority of United's play focused on the opposite flank, but Darmian was solid enough, pushing forward and proving that he is a capable crosser of the ball. 6
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Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Chris Smalling Coped well against Kane. Led by example in the air and was a commanding presence. 7
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Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Daley Blind The Dutchman may be versatile, but it remains to be seen whether he should be seen as an option at centre back. 6
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Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Luke Shaw His link up play with Young was encouraging while Dembele got little joy out of the England international. 6
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Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Morgan Schneiderlin The Frenchman gave the ball away in his own third on one occasion, but was largely flawless. Composed and confident. 6
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Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Michael Carrick A quiet game from the midfielder. Much of his work goes unnoticed and his place could be under threat. 5
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Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Juan Mata A lively display from the Spaniard. He drifted into central areas and also hugged the touchline. Could have done better with a couple of efforts. 6
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Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Memphis Depay The boy is certainly confident. Although he didn't enjoy a blistering start, he grew into the game and was always a threat. Looked disappointed to be withdrawn. 6
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Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Ashley Young The midfielder was lively throughout. His attitude has endeared him to the Old Trafford crowd and he played as if it was his debut. 7
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Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Wayne Rooney Missed a glorious chance prior to Walker's own goal. Several nice touches, but not the rampaging display many had predicted now the striker has been installed as the side's attacking spearhead. 6
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Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Bastian Schweinsteiger Best off the bench: Superb passing. Looked sharp, disproving fitness doubts but also gave the ball away on a couple of occasions. Booked. 6
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Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Michel Vorm The Dutchman's handling and composure leaves little to be desired. 5
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Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Kyle Walker Walker was in the thick of the action. His own goal was comical, but he did reasonably well against Young and also broke forward impressively on a handful of occasions. 5
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Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Toby Alderweireld The new signing did not look assured. Although he produced some strong challenges, he was also guilty of needless errors. 5
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Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Jan Vertonghen The Belgian needs to step up to the leadership plate. Booked. 5
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Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Ben Davies A surprise inclusion due to Rose's injury, the Welshman often had his hands full against both Mata and Depay, but the latter rarely got the better of him. 6
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Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Eric Dier Guilty of conceding possession far too often. The midfield experiment has failed. 4
Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Nabil Bentaleb Too many errors in possession. A torrid afternoon for the Algerian, who looked jaded. 4
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Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Nacer Chadli Struggled to impose himself against Darmian and provide support to Kane. 5
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Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Christian Eriksen Things could have been so different had the Dane tucked away an early chance. He created plenty of chances, and threatened himself but could not find a breakthrough. 7
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Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Mousa Dembele Some encouraging runs, but did not to enough to test Shaw. The Belgians best position does not seem to be on the right. 5
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Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0 player ratings Harry Kane Worked tirelessly, fed on scraps but could not convert the couple of sniffs of goal that he had. 7
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“I got a chance on this occasion and I tried my best. Of course, people always say I don’t have the height or the power but I think I’m clever enough and smart enough.”
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