Southampton takes league giants Manchester United in a crucial game week 6 encounter on Sunday.
The Saints did not start the season on a high note. They have managed to win just one match and have tied against three opponents. Speaking ahead of the crucial tie against Manchester United Saints manager Ronald Koeman said that Dutch defender Daley Blind is the weakness in Manchester United backline.
Koeman was quoted saying: “On one side I agree [with Ferdinand] about his position.
“I think he can play very well out of that position, but he’s not really a strong defender physically. That’s sometimes the problem. He has a lot of other qualities out of that position that can be very positive for the team.
“It’s our job to analyse opponents and if he plays left or as a centre-back we can do some movements in attack with crosses. We know that [Southampton striker Graziano] Pelle is very strong and normally he’s stronger than Blind is or stronger than [United’s Marcos] Rojo is.”
Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand had criticised Blind for poor performances and termed him as a weakness.
Daley Blind joined the Manchester side last summer. Irrespective of being a natural left-back Louis van Gaal has used him at several positions. He does not have the physical presence which plays a great factor.
Koeman not only hurled criticism but also praised some of his opponents like Memphis Depay.
He added: “When he was in the first team of PSV he was showing his qualities. He is physically strong and fast and is clinical to score goals.
“He had a great season and I think it was the right moment to move from Holland.
“PSV would not sell a player like that to Feyenoord [who Koeman once managed] but I was interested in him when I came to Southampton. In that summer, we contacted the agent, who is also the agent of my brother [and assistant, Erwin] so it was easy.
“We showed interest, but they said he would stay in Holland another year and then maybe he would like to move.
“We knew if interest from big clubs comes along, we don’t win. That is normal. I think he will be a success if he keeps his feet on the ground.
“[Southampton’s interest] was in the preseason of my first year. They said he would stay in Holland and then after that maybe he would take a decision to move. That was the case.
“If you can move to United, Chelsea, Bayern [Munich], Real Madrid, you choose that. Not Southampton.”