Daley plays a blinder in new central pairing

Chris Smalling has called Daley Blind a “joy to play alongside” and believes his Manchester United defensive partner is confounding doubters.

United have yet to find a way to replicate the dominance enjoyed under Sir Alex Ferguson - a top–four finish and FA Cup glory are the best they can hope for this season.

Louis van Gaal’s team is a work in progress, but appears to have found the right formula at the back: United’s 15 clean sheet record is more than any other Premier League side.

Smalling’s impressive displays have been key to that and earned praise, but regular defensive partner Blind has at times been criticised.

“Ever since he joined the club he has rarely been injured,” the England international said. “He has been able to bang out the games and have a very high consistency. He is a joy to play alongside.

“It is a good partnership. We know we can rely on each other. We bring out the best in each other. With each performance he is putting critics out there to bed. He has been one of the top centre backs this year.”

The hard-fought win over Everton last week keeps their top–four hopes on track, although making it three successive league wins looks a tough ask at Tottenham next weekend.