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Louis van Gaal knew it and Daley Blind did, too. As the duo walked towards the tunnel at the interval of Manchester United's FA Cup quarter-final with Arsenal, it was apparent something had to change to alleviate the freedom their visitors had enjoyed in midfield.

Fatally, Van Gaal remained loyal to the blowing Blind and hooked Ander Herrera. Arsenal regained their lead, United were devoid of impetus in midfield and lost.

Blind, who has started every game he has been available for this season, was culpable for Arsenal's dominance and his manager, whose infamous Dutchification of Barcelona outraged Catalans in the late 90s, was accused of, well, blind loyalty.

Like others before him this season, though, Blind was reprieved by an injury and the Dutchman's Clockwork Orange timing was perfect.

Blind's switch to left-back has sparked perhaps his best run of form. During a testing sequence of fixtures, he has shone as one of United's most consistent performers and his versatility has proved to be valuable.

Timing, as he showcased in Brazil last summer, is not underestimated by Blind. Without his perceptive technique, the Netherlands would almost certainly not have annihilated Spain 5-1 in Salvador. Robin van Persie's Superman impression levelled the game, however it was Blind's incisive pass that bypassed Spain's midfield and defence to leave Iker Casillas powerless.

Blind has spent the majority of the season in midfield with United. One Dutch journalist, shortly after it was announced United had agreed a deal with Ajax, opined Blind was 'phlegmatic' and in danger of being over-hyped due to his assist for Van Persie.

At times, Blind's passing and plodding have caused problems. Before the Arsenal tie, he resembled a Robin Reliant attempting to catch a Ferrari as Moussa Sissoko powered past him at Newcastle and he looked like he had stepped off a rollercoaster following 45 minutes against Arsene Wenger's fleet-footed midfield.

Only Van Gaal knows whether Blind would have continued in midfield had the brittle Luke Shaw not succumbed to another injury. The returning Michael Carrick would have intensified the competition too but, with Marcos Rojo also sidelined, the Dutchman started at left-back against Tottenham.

At the start of the season, United supporters would have expected their left-wing combination to be Shaw and Angel di Maria, but it is Blind and Ashley Young who have truly prospered as a partnership.

Tottenham's right-hand side was swamped by the swashbuckling pair, as Kyle Walker was left looking like schoolboy victimised by bullies and Andros Townsend was hauled off before the interval.

Blind was excellent at Anfield, where he caused Emre Can to tumble like Paul Alcock and there was little surprise that United's breakthrough at Villa came via the left flank.

Accustomed to a left wing role in Van Gaal's 3-5-2 with Hollland, Blind has quickly developed into an attack-minded and dependable Premier League left-back.

The benchmark for that role at United is Denis Irwin and Blind is a graceful full-back who has dashed concerns over his pace by dominating speedy threats like Townsend, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Irwin was seldom intimidated and used to starting on the front-foot, whoever the opponent was, and Blind has shown similar confidence.

Shaw, signed before Van Gaal officially took over, should be nervous. David Moyes did plenty of the legwork on his deal and Blind enjoys a close bond with Van Gaal for numerous reasons. He is in the team on merit, though, and it is difficult to remember Shaw producing as impressive a sequence of displays as Blind has lately.

Blind is five years Shaw's senior and at times it is patent.

At Swansea in February, he rollocked Shaw for repeating the mistake that led to Ki Sung-Yong's equaliser when the South Korean almost repeated the trick.

Fluent in English, Blind is emerging as one of Wayne Rooney's lieutenants. Judging by his loyalty, Van Gaal knows it, too.

See how United fans rated the players against Aston Villa below