Manchester United’s Daley Blind is moving very close to a return to his homeland, according to a report from Sport Witness which cites Dutch outlet De Telegraaf as its source. Blind arrived from Ajax in the summer of 2014 after Brazil’s World Cup, and despite being given a starring role in central defence under Louis van Gaal in the 2015/16 season, the Dutch international has failed to impress his successor Jose Mourinho over his two seasons as manager. The player has become a bit-part performer at Old Trafford, and it’s no surprise to see him leaving the club in search of first team football having been unable to make himself a regular starter under the Portuguese.
Interestingly, the report states that former United goalkeeper and current Ajax chief executive officer Edwin van der Sar is leading negotiations, with initial differences in a transfer fee seemingly smoothed out thanks his influence. For their part, Ajax appear quite keen to make sure that Blind does not go on United’s pre-season tour, which will involve a flight out to America this coming Monday, and the hope on the Eredivisie club’s side is that a deal can be completed within the next few days.
From United’s perspective, selling Blind feels like the correct decision. His flexibility and adaptability to perform at defensive midfield, centre back and left back has certainly been of use during his four years at Old Trafford, and a delicious strike against Liverpool in front of the Stretford End will surely go down as his finest single moment in a red shirt. Still, United’s squad is currently bloated, and with Blind seemingly surplus to requirements under Mourinho, this transfer seems to be for the best for all parties involved.
With United’s pre-season preparations now underway, there’s every chance that further exits could be concluded within the next week, too.
