Daley Blind has revealed that a pre-match pep talk from captain Wayne Rooney was the inspiration behind Manchester United’s victory in Sunday’s derby.
United came from behind to record their first win at Old Trafford over Manchester City in four attempts, with goals from Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling.
It was Holland international Blind’s second experience of the Manchester derby, having played all 90 minutes of the 1-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium in November. However, with United facing an unprecedented fourth successive defeat on home soil, the 25-year-old said Rooney’s pre-match message had paid dividends in the end.
“It was a thing what was always in our minds,” Blind said. “Everyone knew how important this game was, not only because it’s a rat race in the last games, but also because of the history of the last four games.
“Wayne Rooney mentioned that just when we got outside. He just mentioned it before the game to all the players – everyone is already sharp at the moment but it is still something you have in mind when you go on to the pitch.
“You saw how everyone was fighting for each other. Maybe after the first five minutes we were a bit like ‘what is happening here?’ but after that we picked it up again and we did very well. And with the crowd behind us, it was amazing.”
United go into Saturday’s game at Chelsea trailing the leaders by eight points having played a game more. Blind is cautious about making any predictions they can still mount a title challenge.
“I don’t know. We don’t have to watch for Chelsea,” he said. “We have to watch for our own games. We have to look at ourselves. Every game is a final to the end and we have to believe in ourselves.
“You want to do better every time and if you see how we play I think we have improved a lot and we are still improving and we really are one team and that is the important thing.”
Asked if United could challenge next season, Blind added: “I think Manchester United is always a club that is fighting for the title so it’s an easy answer.”
