United v Leicester reaction: Daley Blind's importance to United can't be overlooked

I don't remember the last time I saw United score from three corners in a game.  Nor do I recall the last time I saw a better series of corners than those taken by Daley Blind in United's 4-1 demolition of Leicester.

Although the away side's defending was admittedly woeful, Blind exploited this perfectly with two excellent crosses from which Smalling and Pogba would have found it difficult not to score.  Sandwiched between them was the imaginative short ball to pick out Mata's run and provide Rashford with the kind of opportunity he just doesn't pass up.

But the rest of Blind's game deserves praise too.  Having lost his place in central defence to the returning Smalling, Shaw's injury gave Blind the chance to operate at left-back, a position he filled with some distinction during the brief period of hope that was the spring of 2015.

He proved a more than worthy replacement, helping to neutralise the considerable threat down Leicester's right side early in the game and getting forward at every opportunity to link with Rashford, another player who shows every sign of grabbing the opportunity of a new position with both hands.

Prior to Mourinho's arrival, Blind was near the top of many people's lists of being under threat.  Having played in central defence throughout 2015-16, it was widely predicted that Blind did not have the physical attributes to appeal to the new boss in that position.  Not only that, but Mourinho's stated preference for 'specialists' cast a serious doubt over whether this most adaptable of utility players would still have a place at United

Smalling's injury gave Blind the chance to prove his worth and he certainly did so, forming an impressive partnership with Eric Bailly in those early games.  But being adaptable does have its drawbacks.  Can he mount a long-term challenge to Luke Shaw for the left-back berth?  Given the number of central midfielders at the club now, can he ever hope to return to that role in the future?

Daley Blind's ability to perform in so many different positions may be what prevents him from ever holding down a regular place in one of them.  After his performance yesterday, though, it's an issue to which Mourinho needs to give some thought, because his positional sense, intelligence and movement off the ball yesterday were crucial factors in the Reds' convincing victory.  And with the increased height in United's side this season, having someone who can take a decent corner isn't to be sniffed at either.