Manchester United Defender Tyler Blackett Welcomes Added Competition in Marcos Rojo

Manchester United youngster Tyler Blackett has welcomed the added competition he faces in the form of Marcos Rojo in his bid to nail down a first-team role under Louis van Gaal.

Argentine international Rojo sealed his move to Old Trafford for a fee of £16m in August but his debut was delayed as he waited to be granted a working visa.

After the necessary paperwork was secured before the international break, Rojo is expected to make his full debut against Queens Park Rangers on Sunday 14 September, with Phil Jones a doubt after he suffered an injury on international duty.

And having seen Rojo up close and personal in training this week, 20-year-old Blackett is looking forward to seeing the 24-year-old in action.

"He looks good," Blackett told United's official website. "Obviously, he is someone who plays in my position as well so he is somebody I can look up to and learn off but hopefully challenge for a place in the team too.

"He'll get stuck in when the time is right and get a foot in there but he's got a good left foot on him so he'll be good for the team and add that balance that we need."

Blackett has started all three Premier League games this season for United having previously not even featured on the bench for the first team.

In choosing not to add another defender to his squad following Rojo's arrival and allowing Michael Keane to leave the club on loan on transfer deadline day, Van Gaal has demonstrated real faith in Blackett and the England Under-21 international is determined to repay his manager.

"I know I'm not going to play in every match but I'd like to think I will get more games and opportunities to do well and be around the first team," Blackett said.

"I'd like to be able to say next summer the team has performed well and I have played maybe 10 to 15 games. I want to establish myself at this level and prove to myself that I can play here."