MANCHESTER, England -- Daley Blind praised Louis van Gaal for his uncanny reading of the game and said he was delighted to play for his fellow Dutchman at Manchester United.
The versatile 24-year-old was part of Van Gaal's Netherlands team who came third in the World Cup and was reunited with the manager when he completed a 14 million-pound move to Old Trafford.
And the former Ajax player said the 63-year-old's tactical knowledge and strict demands were major factors in the Netherlands' excellent run in Brazil.
"During the World Cup every game he is reading the game so good and his predictions for the game come true almost every game," he said in a news conference:
"He is very strict in what he wants, the style he wants to play for the team and the players have to do exactly what the best is in our eyes to win the game and every game could be a winning style."
Blind also said he could not turn down the chance to play for Van Gaal again, adding: "It is very important for me. He gave me a lot of trust during the World Cup and qualification games. I am happy to work again with the coach. I learn a lot from him and I hope to learn more."
Blind played much of his football for Ajax as a central midfielder but was used by Van Gaal as a left wing-back and a left-sided centre-back during the World Cup.
And he said he is willing to play for United in whichever role Van Gaal chooses, saying: "For me I can play in both positions, defender and midfielder. It is up to the coach and I try to do my best in each position where I play."