Get the day's biggest United stories delivered straight to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Louis van Gaal has hinted that Daley Blind’s days as a midfielder could be numbered.

Blind arrived at Old Trafford from Ajax last summer with Van Gaal insisting he had signed the Dutchman to play in midfield.

He made 29 appearances in his first season, predominately as a holding midfielder and occasionally as a left-back.

But he started at centre-back in a back four alongside Phil Jones in the 1-0 win over Club America in Seattle on Friday.

More United news

Van Gaal hints at 'surprise' striker signing

United 1 Club America 0: US tour match verdict

Who were United's stars in Seattle?

And Van Gaal suggested afterwards that the 25-year-old could play more games in that position next season.

United have significantly strengthened their midfield this summer with the signings of Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern Munich and Morgan Schneiderlin from Southampton.

The pair are set to compete with Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera for places next season and opportunities for Blind to play in midfield are likely to be significantly reduced.

Speaking after the win over Club America in their first game of the United States tour, Van Gaal said Blind and Marcos Rojo, who will join up with the squad on July 25 after taking part in the Copa America, could compete to play on the left side of his preferred centre-half pairing.

Click through United's summer targets in pictures.

Van Gaal is keen to add another centre-back to his squad before the transfer deadline but so far United’s approaches for Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos have been knocked back.

Asked whether Blind would play more games at centre-back next season, Van Gaal replied: “It could be, it could be.

“Marcos Rojo is not here, he shall come on July 25. I want to play always with a left-footed central defender and he can do the job. Maybe he shall play. But other players can play there.

“Last year I played with Jones and Smalling in that position. Even McNair has played there. But my preference is always a left-footed central defender.

“In Rojo and Blind, we have two players who can play there.”

United kept a clean sheet against Club America with Blind and Jones at centre-back and Van Gaal insisted afterwards the most pleasing aspect of the performance was the ‘defensive organisation’ they have been working on in training.

He added: “I wanted to see our defensive organisation, that was the main aspect.

“We don’t give any goals away and only one or two chances so I’m satisfied about that.

“We played like a team and America was very handy with the ball, very aggressive, very quick so it was not so easy.

“All the players have a function that we have given them to do. I’m happy and satisfied.”