Blind spot: The rise and rise of Manchester United’s new man

Daley Blind is certainly not a superstar. However, it looks like his understated style will fit perfectly into Manchester United’s new-look side, but it has not been a smooth road to Old Trafford for the Dutchman.

The Ajax academy product was linked with United, who are 8/1 for a top four finish, throughout the summer transfer window, but almost always as a fall-back option for more attractive options such as Arturo Vidal.

In the list of the Red Devils’ eventual recruits, including an incredible collection of Galactico footballers such as Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria, Blind’s addition reads as more of an afterthought.

However, there is a case for believing versatile Blind may be United’s most crucial acquisition of recent transfer windows.

Once the fanfare surrounding Di Maria’s record-breaking arrival and Falcao’s indulgent addition dies down, fans will begin to see that the relatively modest outlay of £13.8m for Blind’s services was by far the best value deal the Red Devils made this summer.

This opportunity has been a long time coming for the son of Ajax legend Danny, after spending 12 seasons honing his skills with his hometown club. Rising through the ranks at the Amsterdam outfit’s academy, Blind was by no means a fan favourite and often struggled to make an impression.

Under Dutch legend Frank de Boer’s guidance, however, Blind enjoyed a renaissance in his seemingly stalled career. He rose to prominence in the 2012/13 season, finally earning a regular starting spot and eventually being crowned Ajax Player of the Year.

A move from left back to defensive midfield in 2013/14 bore even more fruit for Blind, resulting in a whirlwind campaign. His triumphs included being named Dutch Player of the Year, a fourth successive Eredivisie title with Ajax and a call-up to then manager Van Gaal’s Netherland’s World Cup squad.

If Van Gaal did not have his eye on luring the tactically astute Ajax graduate to Old Trafford before Brazil, his sensational Clockwork Orange performances, including a first international goal, would certainly have pushed Blind to the forefront of his thoughts.