Manchester United defender Daley Blind walks dog around city centre with girlfriend Candy-Rae Fleur

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If you think being a Manchester United defender is all glitz and glamour, you'll soon realise you're barking up the wrong tree.

Daley Blind has been having a ruff time of it recently, failing to feature in any of United's last fourPremier League games as manager Jose Mourinho prefers Ashley Young ahead of him at left-back.

And if those thoughts have been dogging him, at least he had a chance to clear his head before training on Monday.

Daley Blind walked his dog with his girlfriend Candy-Rae Fleur around Manchester on Monday

Blind had time to relax with his girlfriend and canine friend by his side in the park

The dog seems interested in whatever Fleur has in her hands while she sits on a bench

It must have been a treat for Blind and his canine friend too, as his girlfriend Candy-Rae Fleur was also involved in the walk on a chilly morning in Manchester city centre.

They seemed to be left to their own devices - at the least, no fans were looking to speak to the Holland international in the picturesque park.

Blind has control of the dog on a lead as it investigates a tree during the stroll in Manchester

The pair wrapped up warm as England was hit with a cold snap on Monday morning

Blind's girlfriend checks her phone as the dog looks for some attention during the walk

Blind poses alongside his girlfriend for a selfie on his Instagram account this summer

Blind will hope that he showed his pedigree in training in the afternoon as he looks to get back into United's first-team squad.

Mourinho's team managed a 1-0 victory against Spurs in the English top flight on Saturday as they try to win a first title since Alex Ferguson retired, although they remain behind Manchester City.

They take on Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday.