Daley Blind Not Guaranteed Man United Start in New Year After Return from Injury

Daley Blind's return to training is a boost for Manchester United. Any positive news on the injury front will be welcomed by manager Louis van Gaal like a child who wakes up on Christmas morning to find that must-have toy under the tree.

The Dutchman's first few months in charge at Old Trafford have been disrupted by injury. "Disrupted" is probably the wrong word. His squad has been decimated since the day he arrived. It's easier to count the players who haven't been sidelined.

Blind is one of those who has been forced onto the treatment table, missing the last six games after suffering a knee ligament injury playing for Holland in November.

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

No injury is good news, but Blind's was at least well-timed as far as Van Gaal was concerned. It coincided with Michael Carrick's return from the ankle injury he picked up during pre-season.

And with the England midfielder in the team, United have won six and drawn one of their last seven games. There were few fans lamenting the loss of Blind as United were beating Arsenal, Hull, Stoke, Southampton and Liverpool.

Blind held the midfield together after arriving from Ajax for £14 million in the summer. But when the 24-year-old finally makes his comeback, probably in the new year, he'll find much more competition for places.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Carrick has impressed, whether playing in midfield or at centre-back. Marouane Fellaini is back in favour, and Wayne Rooney has been given a deeper role in the last two games against Liverpool and Aston Villa. Then there's Ander Herrera, Van Gaal's most expensive midfield addition during the summer.

Blind has an advantage over Fellaini and Herrera in that he is what Van Gaal calls a "multifunctional player." The United manager prefers players who can play in a number of different positions and roles rather than ones he calls "specialists."

Blind has made most of his eight United appearances in midfield. But he can also play at centre-back, left-back and left wing-back. 

Michael Regan/Getty Images

There are opportunities on the left with Luke Shaw out with an ankle injury. Centre-back remains a problematic position, especially with Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling out with injury. Phil Jones and Jonny Evans still look rusty after spells out of the team.

Van Gaal hasn't had a chance to field anything like his best XI yet. A crippling injury list has robbed him of the chance. 

He's got some decisions to make when his squad finally returns to full strength. Blind is yet to find out where he fits in. He is likely to find opportunities are harder to come by now than when he first arrived.

Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.