Bharath Rammr
For much of the campaign, Ajax were extremely motivated by the potential availability of Daley Blind in the summer transfer window. The Dutchman had fallen down the pecking order immediately upon the arrival of Jose Mourinho after having been a regular first-team player in the first two years at Manchester United. He was signed by former boss Louis van Gaal for £14million.
It was reported that Ajax were smelling the possibility of getting him back for around a fraction of the cost. Now, though, the situation has changed quite dramatically, as Blind has been able to force his way back into the first-team reckoning. The latest news according to Daily Star is that Blind is set to be offered a new contract by Manchester United.
The defender has been able to enjoy a lot of first-team action in the second-half of the campaign, although it is largely down to the injury crisis at the club. A number of players, especially defenders, are on the sidelines with Luke Shaw being the latest addition. Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, and Marcos Rojo were the other players on the treatment table, and they were recently joined by Eric Bailly.
However, Smalling, Jones, and Bailly are fit again and ready to fire. Due to almost the entire defence being unavailable at a crucial time in the season, Mourinho had to resort to trusting Blind.
The versatility of the player has also been able to provide a helping hand to Manchester United at the time of crisis. Apart from being capable of playing as a centre back, Blind can also play at left back and defensive midfield. Just three of his 22 league appearances this season have been as a substitute, with most of those appearances coming in the second half of the season. Blind is not complaining, and Manchester United are ready to take advantage of the situation by giving the player a new contract.
Blind’s contract runs out in the summer of 2018, thus putting the club in a precarious position. This is the summer in which they would ideally need to sell, or lose the player on a free transfer. However, United’s decision to offer the player a new contract is a wholesale change from the rumours that have existed until now. Ajax will be deeply disappointed with the decision, as they were very much keen on the 27-year-old.
Blind joined Ajax back in the summer of 2010. In just four years at the Dutch club, he became one of the sought-after players across the world football. Louis van Gaal was able to convince the player to join United immediately after the conclusion of the World Cup 2014. Now it looks like he will extend his stay at Old Trafford.
