Ajax boss Frank De Boer reckons his former player Daley Blind is intent on becoming Manchester United’s midfield lynchpin, as opposed to featuring in his usual defensive role.
- By David Lee Wheatley
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Dutch international Daley Blind completed a £14m move to Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United on transfer deadline day, with the expectation that he’d slot into a left wing-back position as part of his fellow Dutchman’s now-famed back-five formation which he utilised so successfully with Holland at the 2014 World Cup.
Blind is equally adept at performing that task on the left-hand side, or tucking into the left-sided central defensive role. However, it is within central midfield where his long-term ambitions lie, according to De Boer.
“It’s a great transfer – Daley has been playing for Ajax since he was ten years old and now he can hopefully show his qualities at United,” said De Boer when asked about the deadline day deal.
“He started as a full-back, but I think now he prefers to be a controlling midfielder. I think he’ll have two or three options – either at wing-back or on the left in a central midfield pairing.
“He’ll have to get used to the rhythm of the league first, but he’s a really quick thinker and nowadays that’s very important.”
Blind is one of three major summer signings – Falcao and Rojo being the others – expected to make their debuts at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon when United take on newly-promoted Queens Park Rangers.
It’ll certainly be interesting to learn where on the pitch Blind will appear, with his versatility offering new boss van Gaal plenty of food for thought when selecting his side.
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