Blind admits United return temptation
In his UTD Podcast episode, Daley Blind has admitted he was tempted to get in touch with former boss Erik ten Hag when leaving Ajax in January.
The ex-Manchester United defender, who was here between 2014 and 2018, sat down with co-hosts Helen Evans, Sam Homewood and David May in Munich - the home of Bayern, where he currently plies his trade - to discuss a whole host of topics.
One of them was current Reds manager Ten Hag and Blind says that, when he was a free agent, as his time in Amsterdam came to an end, he thought about reaching out to his former boss about a potential return to Old Trafford, but never acted upon it.
Daley Blind - My message to United fans
podcastIn another unmissable UTD Podcast, former Reds defender Daley Blind speaks to Helen Evans, Sam Homewood and David May after our trio travelled to Munich where he spent the second half of the 2022/23 season with Bundesliga giants, Bayern. The Dutchman was an open and honest guest, talking about a wide range of subjects, including his stint at Old Trafford, which included winning four trophies with the club. He also spoke about growing up in football as the son of Ajax legend Danny Blind. Shining at the 2014 World Cup under Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal would change his life and he talks about the decision to follow the experienced manager to United and adjusting to life in the Premier League. Despite some real high points, he details how difficult he found it when van Gaal left the club, on the back of winning the FA Cup. There was sadness when he also left the club, to return to Ajax, and he speaks very frankly about a tough time when he was diagnosed with heart muscle inflammation in 2019. Thankfully, he was able to return to action and joined Bayern earlier this year. Daley looks to the future and reveals what he would like to do when he hangs up his boots, before ending the podcast with a special message for all United fans. It’s another cracking episode which every Red should enjoy.
"No [I didn't call him]," said Blind, who admitted he was tempted to contact Erik. "To be honest, he has the same agent as me, so the connection is not that far away.
"But yeah, he did not really need me at that moment. He [had] already bought some players in. [Lisandro] Martinez as well, in the same position, and I am not blaming him for that.
"I am very thankful for the time [I had] with him. I learned a lot from him."
A left-footed, versatile defender, Martinez has similarities with Blind, and the Dutchman was quick to praise the way Lisandro proved his doubters wrong in his maiden season in English football.
"I think, at the moment I started playing centre back, there were some critical notes about my height or my, how you say it, I don’t look like [Nemanja] Vidic for example!" he said.
"I think, in England, there is like this image of a centre-back and that is how it should be done and how a player in the centre should look like, the way he is, and I think, nowadays, you can fill it in different ways.
"Martinez, he is a great centre-back.
Blind: I'm proud he's my dad
UTD Podcast | Daley Blind explains how he's dealt with the pressure of following in dad Danny's footballing footsteps...
"He is so aggressive, he’s really good with his feet. He’s really good at tackling.
"You cannot write him off just because he’s maybe not the height you expect him to be. But I think he showed himself directly that he is capable of everything in the Premier League."
Daley Blind's UTD Podcast is now available exclusively on ManUtd.com and in the United App for 24 hours. After this period, you can listen via all your usual podcast providers.