Manchester United have made a further signing in this transfer window, finally completing the much talked about capture of Dutch international Daley Blind as reported on United’s official website. Blind flew into England on Saturday after Amsterdam club side Ajax accepted a bid in the region of $23 million.
BREAKING: #mufc has reached agreement with Ajax to sign Daley Blind, subject to a medical and personal terms. pic.twitter.com/2l1l7I2Aow
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 30, 2014
Whilst still needing to pass a medical and agree personal terms, once completed, Blind will bring much needed versatility to a United squad that many feel needs a drastic overhaul to get back to the winnings ways that the Old Trafford faithful are so used to seeing.
Son of former Dutch international player Danny Blind, Daley Blind has been part of an Ajax squad who won four successive league titles. Blind was also an integral part of Louis Van Gaal’s Netherlands squad at the World Cup this summer. The player can play as a left back, in midfield or even as a center-half. With players such as Kagawa, Cleverley, Anderson and Chicharito all rumored to be possibly leaving before Monday’s transfer deadline, Blind will provide Van Gaal with stronger options in a squad currently depleted with injuries to important positions. Blind will find himself with an integral part to play as Van Gaal continues to shape the Manchester United squad to his preferred 3-5-2 formation and philosophies.
The Dutch could challenge Luke Shaw (when fit) for the left wing-back role in the United starting line up but his versatility could mean he finds himself as a holding midfielder, a role that Darren Fletcher currently occupies. Blind’s natural defensive tendencies could provide an interesting form of protection in front of the United defense which has looked exposed and shaky in these first few Premier League games. With the Marcos Rojo signing still up in the air due to work permit issues, Daley Blind could find himself indispensable to Van Gaal’s future defensive set-up.
After a disappointing 0-0 draw with Burnley on Saturday, United now go into the international break not having a game again for two weeks. Harry Redknapp brings his QPR side to Old Trafford on September 14th with Van Gaal still looking for his first competitive win. This break should give the squad time to bed in new players whilst hopefully getting currently injured players back to full fitness.
United fans will also be hoping that this extra time on the training field will give the squad vital opportunities to work on Van Gaal’s new 3-5-2 formation. A formation that Van Gaal seems hell bent on sticking with even though his does not appear to be working and getting the best out of the current crop of players,
