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Cape Town - Dutch international Daley Blind is enjoying life as a centre-back at Manchester United alongside the in-form Chris Smalling.
Blind has begun his second season at Manchester United as Chris Smalling's partner in the centre of the Red Devils' defence and is relishing the chance to cement his place in the starting lineup.
Following the arrival of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin, Blind has been employed in defence by manager Louis van Gaal.
The 25-year-old Dutch international told MUTV: "I try to do my best and I have the faith of the manager, which gives me a lot of confidence. It is good to play there alongside Chris Smalling. He is great next to me, he is a great player. He’s different to me, I do it my own way, but I can learn a lot from Chris."
Blind believes he is now putting into good use what he learnt as a youngster at Ajax Amsterdam.
"I played there in the Ajax youth team," Blind told MUTV.
"I’m happy that Ajax's academy allowed me to play in different positions and to improve to become the player that I am now."
Blind is arguably Manchester United's most versitile player, who slotted in at left-back and central midfield last season.
After the current international break, Manchester United host rivals Liverpool in Premier League action.
Saturday's match at Old Trafford kicks off at 18:30.
