Manchester United have been quite dormant after completing 3
transfers deals of Diogo Dalot, Fred and Lee Grant. The club have flown out to
the United States for their pre-season. United have already completed one more
deal and instead of a new signing, they have sold a player who didn’t get much
opportunities. Daley Blind has been sold to his former club Ajax.
Blind was one of Louis Van Gaal’s first signings since he
took charge in 2014. Blind made his most in the United shirt in his 4 years at
the club, making 90 appearances at scoring 4 goals in the process. He played a
pivotal role in Van Gaal’s squad being of the first name on the team sheet and
also was amongst the starting names during Mourinho’s first season in charge
back in the 2016/17 season. Blind was amongst the best Dutch players when he
joined United having hailed from the famous Ajax academy. He is also of the
most versatile players who has a rare ability to play anywhere in defence and
in central midfield. During his stint at United, he played as a centre back and
a left back and occasionally as a holding midfielder. He won the FA Cup, League
Cup, Europa League and the Community Shield whilst at the club and it’s fair to
say that’s not bad!
Following his move to Ajax, Blind shared his heartfelt
message to the United fans thanking them for their support by saying, “First of
all I want to say how proud I am to be a part of the Manchester United family.
To play for the biggest club in the world with such a history meant a lot to
me. I had 4 great years with 4 trophies’! I want to thank everyone, the
Managers, coaches, the medical department, everyone who helped me to settle in
so quick at the beginning, of course my teammates and last but definitely not
least the fans! I want to thank you for all the love and support I received and
still get. I will never forget some of the special games and moments, I will
miss you ‘The Theatre of Dreams’! But now it’s time to go home.”
Last season, Blind was deemed surplus to requirements at United
due to the imminent rise of Ashley Young in the left back spot and Chris
Smalling in the centre. It was clear that Jose was going to play the player who
has been consistent and in good form and Young was that. He didn’t risk resting
him a bit last season given the state of things. Luke Shaw and Matteo Darmian
were also not given required chances last season. Nevertheless, Blind managed
to make a total of 17 appearances for United last season in all competition
counting from the bench. 2016/2017 was his standout year at United and he was
the main player in Mourinho’s charge for Europa League glory. Although he didn’t
start the final, Blind still managed to make the Europa League Team of the Season,
due to his intelligent ability to read the game and a great eye for a pass and finding
his tea mates in a threatening position to launch a long ball or cross.
It is fair to say that Blind wouldn’t have got any opportunities
next season due to the arrival of Dalot who can play on either flank of defence,
the rise of Luke Shaw who seems to have caught the eyes of the management due
to his improved fitness and determination to prove his worth at the pre-season.
There is also a possibility of a new signing arriving and Blind would make way
for the new acquisition.
From a business point of view, Blind’s sale is a fantastic
piece of business as he was bought for 13.5 million and is sold for 16.5
million which would increase to 21 million with add-ons for a player aged 28. The
deal made Blind Ajax’s most expensive signing. A move back to his homeland is
sensible as he is at his boyhood club, a club he knows very well, knows their tradition
and style of play. It was always on the cards.
With intense competition of Shaw, Dalot, Young, Rojo and a
potential new signing there is no way Blind would get chances at United. We wish
him well for his career at Ajax and thank him for his splendid services for our
club. Thank You Daley!
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