Dennis Irwin has hailed Daley Blind 's versatility and backed him to retain a place in the Manchester United starting XI , even when injured players return . The former United left-back , who made 529 appearances for the club between 1990 and 2002 , was impressed by Blind when he played in that position during Sunday 's 3-0 win over Tottenham . It was United 's best performance of the season , keeping them anchored in the Premier League top four and boosting confidence ahead of this weekend 's crunch trip to Anfield to play Liverpool . Daley Blind ( right ) was impressive for Manchester United in Sunday 's 3-0 win over Tottenham . Irwin , seen here celebrating a goal with David Beckham in 1997 , believes Blind deserves his place in the team . Sunday 's clash between Manchester United and Liverpool will be pivotal in the top four race . 'Daley 's a good , honest pro , ' Irwin told ManUtd.com . 'He can play at centre-half if you need him , left-back if you need him , and obviously he 's played mostly in midfield for us this season . I think he 's been a really good signing . 'He 's a player who reads situations very , very well , I thought he played extremely well on Sunday . It 'll be interesting to see the team the manager picks against Liverpool , but it would n't surprise me if he picks the same 11 players , because they played so well . 'That 's the manager 's decision and he 's got one or two back from suspension and injury , but I thought the team played very well on Sunday . ' Blind sets off in pursuit of Arsenal 's Francis Coquelin during last week 's FA Cup sixth round tie . Blind celebrates scoring a late equaliser for United at West Ham last month . The Dutch international also scored a crucial late goal at West Brom earlier in the campaign . Dutch international Blind , who arrived at Old Trafford from Ajax for £13.8m last summer , has at times struggled for form this season but is showing signs of adapting to the English game . Irwin added : ' I know Blind can fill in places and he 's done tremendously well for us in midfield . 'He has n't played at left-back that many times , he 's not played centre-half in a three that many times for us but we know he can play there . ' I thought Phil Jones and Chris Smalling were aggressive , did n't give Harry Kane much room , and Antonio Valencia played really well at right-back , so it was good to see and we 'll need plenty of that at Anfield . '
Man United travel to Liverpool on weekend in crunch top four clash . Denis Irwin believes Blind should keep his place in the side . Dutch international played well at left-back in 3-0 win over Spurs . Blind can fill a number of positions across the defence and midfield . Liverpool vs Man Utd XIs : Steven Gerrard fails to make Jamie Carragher 's team as Gary Neville picks Angel di Maria . READ : Liverpool are the in form side , but United will hope to open up a gap .