Manchester United have made their priorities exceptionally clear this summer when it comes to the transfer market. Having already completed the signings of FC Porto’s Diogo Dalot and Shakhtar Donetsk’s Fred, Jose Mourinho has strengthened both his midfield and right back positions, areas that required attention given how much the manager relies on players like Antonio Valencia and Nemanja Matic.
Marouane Fellaini’s decision to sign a new deal at the club, having previously thought to be a certain departure at the end of last season, has also meant that United’s quad is now looking particularly bloated, with two ins and no outs, as of yet. Italian defender Matteo Darmian offered an update on his future earlier this week, suggesting that he fancied a return to his home country three years after moving to Old Trafford from Serie A’s Torino. Darmian has failed to make much of an impression on Mourinho during his time in charge of the club, and has been unsuccessful in attempts to dislodge Valencia at right back, meaning his opportunities have been exceptionally limited.
Daley Blind, purchase from Ajax in the summer of 2014, has proven himself to be a reliable and flexible option during his time at United, slotting in at left back, centre back and midfield since Louis van Gaal brought him in after using the player during Holland’s World Cup run in 2014. But with United currently employing a plethora of options at centre back, Blind’s chances of a place in United’s starting XI on a consistent basis appear to be slim. As such, it’s no surprise to hear that he’s considering a return to the Dutch side, in a report run by the Manchester Evening News that cites De Telegraaf as its source.
It certainly wouldn’t be a surprise to see Blind leave; the Dutch international is a useful back-up in several positions, but arguably doesn’t have the quality to hold down a regular starting position in Mourinho’s team.
