Ajax manager confirms interest in Manchester United outcast

Ajax manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed the club are interested in re-signing Daley Blind this summer.

Blind is free to leave United this summer after falling out of favour under Jose Mourinho in the last two years.

The Netherlands international has 12 months remaining on his existing contract but United aren’t interested in making a loss on the 28-year-old.

United shelled out £13.8m to sign Blind after the 2018 World Cup and the Red Devils want to recoup all of it this summer.

Ajax are reportedly in talks with United for Blind’s return and their manager has also confirmed they are keen to get a deal over the line.

“[He is] is a player with a lot of experience, in the Premier League and in the Dutch national team,” Sky Sports quote Ten Hag as saying.

“He is a stable personality. Just like the arrival of Dusan Tadic, this also counts as a considerable effort of the club. We are doing everything, but it also depends on other parties.

“He can handle both positions well, both as a central defender and as a controlling midfielder.”

Blind was a key player during the beginning of Mourinho’s first season in charge of United but has gradually been phased out by the Portuguese.

After starting 20 league games in Mourinho’s maiden campaign at Old Trafford, he was limited to just seven league appearances in total last term. 

United have a marginally better win ratio in the league when Blind has featured for Mourinho (60%) compared to when he hasn’t (54.3%).