Daley Blind has suggested that it is important for Manchester United's big-money stars to live up to their price tags by proving their ability on the pitch.

The Red Devils spent around £150m on players, one of whom was Angel di Maria, who joined from Real Madrid for a record £59.7m fee, in the summer for Louis van Gaal's first season in charge at Old Trafford.

United faced criticism this week following their 1-0 defeat to Southampton on Sunday, but Blind, who also joined the club in the summer, is confident that Van Gaal is building a "great team".

"The prices in the team are expensive and the manager has said that as well so you have to train every day, very hard, to show yourself and show that you really want to play," the London Evening Standard quotes Blind as saying.

"We are one team, we have to do it with each other, whichever XI the coach chooses. We are supporting each other and it feels like a really great team."

United are currently fourth in the Premier League table.