"He did not really need me at that moment" - Ex-Manchester United defender admits he was tempted to join Ten Hag at Old Trafford
Former Manchester United defender Daley Blind has admitted that he was considering reaching out to Erik ten Hag about a potential return to Old Trafford.
Ten Hag was appointed by the Red Devils in May last year. He was linked with plenty of his former Ajax players, including the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Jurrien Timber and Antony.
However, Blind was one name that at the time wasn't being mooted for a potential return to Manchester United. That wasn't to say that the Dutchman wasn't pondering heading back to the Premier League giants.
The 33-year-old defender has told the club's website that although he didn't call Ten Hag, he was tempted to try and do so:
"No (I didn't call him). To be honest, he has the same agent as me, so the connection is not that far away."
Ten Hag did sign his former Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez, with the Argentine joining in a £56.7 million deal. Blind alluded to that when insisting that the Dutch manager didn't need him at Old Trafford:
"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.
Blind concluded by saying how much he learned playing under Ten Hag at Ajax:
"I am very thankful for the time (I had) with him. I learned a lot from him."
The veteran defender joined Manchester United from Ajax in 2014 for £13.8 million. He made 141 appearances during his four years with the Red Devils, scoring six goals and providing ten assists. He won the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup with the Premier League giants.
Blind then rejoined Ajax four years later for £14.1 million and was signed by Ten Hag. He featured 171 times under the Dutchman, winning the KNVB Cup. The versatile defender has since joined Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and won the title in the recently concluded season.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag keen on reuniting with Andre Onana
Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana, per The Daily Mail.
Ten Hag likes Onana, having coached him previously at Ajax. The Cameroonian shot-stopper has been in fine form for Inter, keeping 19 clean sheets in 41 games across competitions.
Onana is expected to cost around £45 million, as he joined the Nerazzurri as a free agent last summer. However, United may look to use a fringe player in exchange for the 27-year-old.
Inter are reported to have an interest in several of the Red Devils' fringe players. A potential move for Onana comes with doubts growing over David de Gea's future at the club. The Spanish goalkeeper's contract expires at the end of the month, but the Old Trafford dressing room is reportedly unsure if he will stay.