According to The MEN Sport, Ajax manager Erik ten Hag is currently leading the race to land the Manchester United head coach role at the end of the season. Next summer’s transfer window seems to be the start of yet another rebuild at Manchester United with the new manager as the key ingredient.
With Erik ten Hag leading the race for the Manchester United head coach role, any player the manager praises in media is instantly linked with a switch to Old Trafford. In a recent interview, the Ajax manager was high on praise for former Manchester United centre-back Daley Blind.
Daley Blind made a total of 141 appearances for the red devils during his four-year stint with the club. In his time he recorded six goals and ten assists. (stats via Transfermarkt) Blind featured in various different positions across the backline and even featured in the midfield on the odd occasion. But after the arrival of Jose Mourinho at the helm, Blind saw his opportunities limited. He rejoined the Dutch giants Ajax in the summer of 2018.
Since rejoining the club back in 2018, Blind has been a key ingredient in Erik ten Hag’s starting lineup. The centre back suits the manager’s high possession and passing game plan. The Dutch defender is also known for his ability to play the ball out of defence. On top of that, the centre half is also known for his technical ability on the ball.
What did Erik ten Hag said about Daley Blind?
In a recent interview talking about Daley Blind, Erik ten Hag said:
“The organization is very good. We don’t get many goals against and Daley plays a very important role in that with his coaching and positioning.
“Blind brings so much to the ball in his passing and choices. We also speak of ‘packing [progressive] passes’. There is no player in the Eredivisie, perhaps a few, who can give those passes in that way. He is an absolute added value for us in our constructive attacking game.”
Manchester United centre-back targets for the summer?
While Manchester United currently boaster a number of good centre backs at the club at the moment in the likes of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Raphael Varane. But the club still looks to be shipping goals week in and week out. The club could certainly dip into the transfer market to look for new centre backs.
Daley Blind can certainly be a target if Erik ten Hag takes over at the club. But reports suggest that the red devils are interested in signing Barcelona centre-back Ronaldo Araujo in the summer. The 23-year-old has been particularly impressive since Xavi’s arrival at the helm. But the centre-half is out of contract in 2023 and that could play in the hands of Manchester United.
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