Manchester United: Daley Blind is best option at left-back for Liverpool clash says Denis Irwin

Denis Irwin believes Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal will opt for Daley Blind ahead of Luke Shaw at left-back for the visit to Liverpool on 22 March.

Blind, a 2014 summer signing from Ajax, has previously been used in the role by Van Gaal for the Netherlands and excelled once again on the left-hand side of defence in the 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on 15 March.

While the Dutchman's presence in midfield has been much welcomed at Old Trafford this season, Irwin believes he will retain his defensive role at Anfield, suggesting United should opt for the same starting line-up that starred against Mauricio Pochettino's Spurs side.

"He's a player who reads situations very, very well, I thought he played extremely well on Sunday [against Spurs]," Irwin told United's official website.

"It'll be interesting to see the team the manager picks against Liverpool, but it wouldn'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."

Shaw, who has struggled with a string of hamstring injuries this season, missed the win over Spurs but is in line to return against Liverpool. However, Irwin has suggested United will be best served in playing the same back four that successfully kept Tottenham out.

"That's [whether Shaw or Blind start at left-back] for the manager to decide, but I've got to say he [Blind] played very, very well at left-back on Sunday, as did the defence as a whole," the former Republic of Ireland international continued.

"I thought Phil Jones and Chris Smalling were aggressive, didn'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."

Van Gaal will have another selection dilemma to ponder ahead of his side's trip to Anfield with Angel Di Maria now back in contention. The Argentine has served his suspension after being sent off in the FA Cup tie against Arsenal but Juan Mata's excellent performance in his absence could see his return delayed.