Wednesday 14 January 2015 08:01, UK
Daley Blind knows he and his Manchester United team-mates are going to have to battle hard for places in Louis van Gaal's side.
Blind returned to United’s side on Sunday for the first time since suffering a knee injury in November, playing the full duration minutes of the 1-0 home defeat to Southampton.
The 24-year-old, who was a regular starter prior to the problem, returned at a time when United’s extensive injury list has been reduced to almost nothing and competition for first-team spots is as fierce as it has been all season.
The places in the team are expensive, and the manager has said that as well. So you have to train, every day, very hard to show yourself and show that you really want to play.
On-loan striker Radamel Falcao was notably left out of the squad altogether on Sunday, while the United players who did take to the field ultimately produced a poor performance.
And after boss Van Gaal stressed that the next game would be "another moment" in terms of selection, Blind said: "The places in the team are expensive, and the manager has said that as well.
"So you have to train, every day, very hard to show yourself and show that you really want to play."
The Holland international was delighted to be back in action but disappointed with the result, which he feels it is vital fourth-placed United bounce back from in Saturday's away trip to QPR.
"It was my first game in seven weeks I think, and it was a bit heavy in the end but I think I felt pretty good after 90 minutes," Blind said.
"It's good to be back, I'm only disappointed that it's not with a win.
"We have to bounce back - we have to stand up as a team with each other and dothe best we can in training, every day, and have a good week because we need a win at the weekend."
Blind admits it was hard spending time on the sidelines but has emphasised how much support he received from fans during the period - and how settled he is feeling at United in general.
"It's a nice group and everybody's really helping me every day and every week," the £14m summer signing from Ajax said.
"It's just like home - I feel good being here.
"It's nice that so many people were supporting me (when he was injured) and not only from this club, but from my club before and in Holland.
"I had a lot of support and it's a great feeling - it pushes you every day to work just that little bit harder when you are injured and on your own. It's nice.
"It was really unlucky, an unlucky moment (sustaining the injury). Apart from this injury I've been really fit during my career so I hope it stays that way."
