As a big fan of Daley Blind, we need to analyze his role a lot more instead of just saying that he's slow.

A long time ago, I made a post here that United should try to sign Vertonghen. Before that, I criticized Smalling, Jones and Evans because they couldn't pass to save their lives. Ferdinand and Vidic were gone, Blind was used as a CB in pre-season, so I suggested Vertonghen instead.

It wasn't seen as a good option, but looking back now, he would have been great under Van Gaal. He would have been better than Blind surely. I doubt he would distribute the ball as well as Blind, but he is better at dribbling and running forward. The real difference is his speed, length and heading ability. Defensively, he would be much better, while still being able to be a threat up front and being able to distribute the ball.

Back on Daley, he really brought something to this team that no other defender could. He was absolutely vital to this team, but sadly, the problems were elsewhere. Also, he brought disadvantaged a club like United can't have. Some of the benefits of playing him were truly unnecessary. A full back or midfielder should be able to replicate most of it.

Thing is, back then the other center backs really were not good enough. I've said it every single time in the first season Van Gaal was here. Far too many defenders lost the ball when they passed it. Especially the center backs. It was horrendous. Really I just feel sorry for Van Gaal that his stubbornness and lack of a good squad kept him from winning trebles every season. Exaggerated, but he knew were the problems were and he was too stubborn to address them well enough.

Blind is a solution and a problem. What he solved was necessary, but it came with it's own issues. We'll see this under Mourinho. Mourinho will not need Blind's fantastic ball distribution or his positional awareness. Really some discredit the latter regarding Blind, but that's just insanity. 35 goals against this season. Still... The season before it was 37 and there were a lot more goals for United that season.

My conclusion is that despite Blind's amazing performances and his great qualities, I think that some of his qualities are too good for a defender, so pretty much unnecessary. Someone who's worse with the ball but taller and stronger and faster would be preferable. He might do well as a defensive midfielder, but I think at that point his qualities will fall short.

I'm grateful for Daley Blind, he did amazing. He needs to be replaced, though.