Blind faith

MANCHESTER United midfielder Daley Blind believes the club has a good chance of challenging for the Premier League title next season.

The Red Devils finished fourth in Louis van Gaal’s first season in charge, but were 17 points adrift of champions Chelsea and nine behind second–placed Manchester City.

Blind doesn’t think that gap is too big to close: “I think we’re not far off,” the Holland international said. “If you look at the end of this season we’ve done well and we’ve picked up a lot of points, even though the last few games were difficult, but I think we have a good chance next year.

“If you look at the games we’ve played against the top teams, we’ve won a lot of points and a club like Manchester United will always aim to win the title. Next year, we’re going to do that.”



Meanwhile, United goalkeeper David de Gea admits he does not know what his future holds as he continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid.

Van Gaal has indicated the 24–year–old’s future is in his own hands with Madrid keen to take the former Atletico stopper back to the Spanish capital. If the decision does lie with De Gea, his mind appears to be not yet made up.

“We will see what happens regarding my future,” De Gea said to Spanish sports newspaper AS. “Right now I'm on holiday.”