Daley Blind: Ajax confirm deal for Man Utd & Netherlands defender

By Simon StoneBBC Sport

Last updated on 17 July 2018.From the section European Football98

Defender Daley Blind has completed his move from Manchester United to former club Ajax, for a fee that could eventually rise to £18.5m.

Blind, 28, joined United from Ajax for £13.8m in 2014, when fellow Dutchman Louis van Gaal was in charge.

The Netherlands international was a regular under Van Gaal - but his appearances have reduced since Jose Mourinho arrived at Old Trafford.

"To play for the biggest club in the world meant a lot," Blind tweeted.

"I had a great four years with four trophies. I want to thank everyone, I will never forget some of the special games and moments, but now it's time to go home."

Blind played in both the 2016 FA Cup final and the following year's Europa League final victory over Ajax.

It is understood the Dutch club will pay an initial £14m to re-sign Blind on a four-year deal.

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Comment posted by User0986911205, at 10:47 14 Jul 2018
Good utility player who was always solid, a John o’shea type. Every team should have one. A shame to see him go but he was too good to be sitting about at United playing the odd game.
Comment posted by Red Devil Until I Die And Even In The Afterlife, at 10:43 14 Jul 2018
Good luck Daley. I wish you all the best. Thanks for everything.
Comment posted by D1679216305174, at 11:09 14 Jul 2018
While not the paciest of players I always rated Blind. Cracking passer of the ball and exceptional footy brain. Let's not forget he was in a minority of forward thinking and passing players when van Gaal was in charge.

Deserves more game time but not looking likely at United, his talent should be playing week in week out so all the best for him!
Comment posted by jimmycred, at 11:13 14 Jul 2018
Great professional hope he does well
Comment posted by Wayne, at 10:56 14 Jul 2018
Fair play to Daley, he's not been in contention with JM so best to let him go, a few more should too. Wish him all the best.
Comment posted by Glofy, at 10:55 14 Jul 2018
Was never going to be a first 11 player and it's an excellent transfer fee for a 28 year old reserve player. Much better midfielder than defender imo but wouldn't have had a chance to play ahead of Pogba, Herrera, Matic, Mctominay or Fred.
Comment posted by Nic77, at 11:22 14 Jul 2018
@18 "Nice little profit for United"

Yeah, if you just ignore inflation and the tens of millions you've paid him in wages to sit on the bench....
Comment posted by D1679316009306, at 10:43 14 Jul 2018
Good lad. Hope you are happy now playing proper football.
Comment posted by A13458443, at 11:11 14 Jul 2018
Honestly forgot he was still there.

He did well with what he had. Good luck to him.
Comment posted by D1679304119067, at 12:55 14 Jul 2018
A quality professional, technically adept in the Dutch style, fine left foot.

His problem is that at the highest level he is not quick enough to play left back, not tall enough to be a dominant centre half, and doesn't have vision to be a deep lying central midfielder. So he's a fill-in utility player in all of those positions.

Mourinho said he wanted 'specialists' not players of that ilk.
Comment posted by NonelikeSirAlex, at 11:51 14 Jul 2018
Blind was an excellent squad player for United, versatile like John O`Shea. I remember him stepping up as a center back to pair up with Smalling and doing exceptionally well for a modified defender ,when more than half of our defenders were out injured. He will be missed.
In this age of prima donna football players, I would much rather have a Blind than a zaha or depay. Good luck Daley.
Comment posted by CommonSense-HardTruth, at 11:47 14 Jul 2018
Probably a good move all round in my opinion but quite how Mourinho is still being paid £15m a year to under achieve with this group of players is beyond me. Just a cheque book manager who upsets everyone inside and outside of the club...
Comment posted by argonaut, at 11:15 14 Jul 2018
People bitching about mourinho not utilising him but it was a Van gaal purchase.Why should mourinho stick with him if he's not in his plans?Good business to get that much for him and i wish him good luck for the future.
Comment posted by NonelikeSirAlex, at 15:59 14 Jul 2018
I dont understand when people in here say he was not cut for United.. Even in the great Ferguson era, you had players like fletcher, brown, o`shea who did not make the first team all the time, but were an important part of the squad that won titles. I would put Blind right up there with these folks and he will be missed.
No matter how many new players you buy, you can only put 11 on the field.
Comment posted by caringman1953, at 14:37 14 Jul 2018
Good squad player,but not in mourinho plans..all the best blind 🇬🇧🍷
Comment posted by RvNUnited, at 13:29 14 Jul 2018
One of Van Gaal's better signings. Good luck to him
Comment posted by HMS Indifatigable, at 16:49 14 Jul 2018
Not top shelf but aways put in a shift wherever he was played. Good luck to him
Comment posted by aphextwin-rb, at 11:37 14 Jul 2018
Agree with others on here, he was much better used in his natural role as a midfielder because his lack of pace was less exposed.

Saying that, it speaks volumes of his exceptional reading of the game that he was able to play defensively at all, let alone CB @ 5' 9 "/5 ' 10" !

Wasted on the bench. Best wishes to him. Wouldn't be surprised if Ajax reclaimed the league with him as captain.
Comment posted by afz123, at 15:47 14 Jul 2018
Showed great class and patience after being ignored by jose
Comment posted by LambRogan, at 10:42 14 Jul 2018
Fellaini given a new contract and Blind on his way out. Mourinho, couldn't you just admit you haven't got a clue and kick yourself out instead.