LIVERPOOL STRIKER CHRISTIAN Benteke can cause Daley Blind all sorts of problems at Old Trafford this weekend, according to Rio Ferdinand.
Having failed in attempts to bring in a big-name centre-half over the summer and with Marco Rojo and Phil Jones yet to feature, Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has opted for his fellow Dutchman alongside Chris Smalling.
And while Smalling has impressed during the early stages of the season, the physical presence and pace of his defensive partner has been called into question.
Bafetimbi Gomis appeared to target Blind in Swansea’s 2-1 win before the international break and former United captain Ferdinand believes Reds forward Benteke could do the same on Saturday evening.
“I don’t think Blind will ever be able to deal with someone like Benteke if he’s on his game and he targets him,” said Ferdinand, speaking at BT Sport’s headquarters in London yesterday.
If I’m Benteke, all week I’m thinking ‘wherever the ball is I’m going on Blind’. That’s the only place I would be playing. I wouldn’t even look at Smalling or think about coming into contact with him.
“He’s a top striker and they paid 30-odd million for him. If he even started having any types of battles with Smalling I’d call him to the side as the manager and tell him to get on Blind as he is the weak point.”
Utility man Blind was signed from Ajax in 2014 for £14 million (€19m) and played predominantly at left-back and in defensive midfield during his first year in the Premier League.
The 25-year-old isn’t a bad player in Ferdinand’s eyes but he thinks United will need to dominate possession in order to keep Brendan Rodgers’ men at bay.
“If you’re looking at Manchester United, all their targets and the money they spent it does baffle you to see Blind playing centre-half,” Ferdinand added.
“He wasn’t bought as a centre-half, he was bought as a midfielder or a left-back. He played left-back in the World Cup. So it does make you think.
“Ramos, Otamendi and Hummels were targets they were rumoured to be going for, but they have not been able to get them.
Don’t get me wrong, Blind reads the game really well and he is a natural all-round footballer but Benteke should be able to pick him up and run around with him on his shoulders. That’s the reality of it.
“The only way that Man United combat that is by having the ball. Van Gaal’s whole philosophy is about having the ball more that the opposition and that is their first form of defence.
“The more often they have the ball, the less time that Benteke is allowed to get it and pinpoint Blind.”
BT Sport pundits Rio Ferdinand was speaking at the launch of BT Sport’s UEFA Champions League coverage for the 2015/16 season in London. BT Sport is only available to Irish viewers through the Setanta Sports Pack.
The Setanta Sports Pack will broadcast live coverage of all UEFA Champions League matches this season along with being the only place to see Liverpool, Celtic and Spurs in Thursday night’s Europa League. To subscribe visit www.setanta.com
