Daley Blind has claimed that he ‘learned a lot’ from Jose Mourinho after leaving Manchester United to rejoin boyhood club Ajax this summer.
The 28-year-old won four trophies and made 141 appearances for United following his move to Old Trafford back in 2014 but a lack of starts meant he was keen to leave ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.
While Blind was mainly used as a squad player during towards the end of his United career, Mourinho had nothing but praise for the defender after his return to Ajax was confirmed.
Mourinho hailed Blind as ‘one of the most professional players’ he had ever worked with and the Dutchman has returned the favour was some kind words for his former manager.
‘I learned a lot from him. He is a winner. And he can project that very well on a group,’ the Netherlands international said. ‘I almost played 150 matches. I won four trophies at United.
‘I had a very beautiful time. I had many nice moments there. ‘I am very grateful to the fans. I worked very nicely with Mourinho.’
Mourinho thanked Blind for his service to the Red Devils following his move to Ajax last month. ‘I would like to say a big thank you to Daley Blind for everything he has done for the club since he joined in 2014,’ the Portuguese told United’s official website.
Early Team News for Man United vs Brighton
Jose Mourinho doesn’t expect any of the six injured players who missed Manchester United’s season-opening win over Leicester City to return against Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend.
Sergio Romero, Antonio Valencia, Diogo Dalot, Marcos Rojo, Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic all missed the 2-1 victory over the Foxes, as the Reds got the 2018/19 Premier League campaign under way at Old Trafford last Friday night.
Speaking after the game, the boss told reporters he does not expect any of them will be back in action on Sunday when United travel to the Amex Stadium for our first away game of the new season.
However, Mourinho believes the Reds should be much stronger as his returning World Cup stars will have had a full week of training under their belts.
Jesse Lingard could make his first United appearance since last season’s Emirates FA Cup final, against a team he spent time on loan at in 2013/14, while Ashley Young could also return after his exploits with England in Russia, although Luke Shaw will hope to keep the left-back slot after scoring his first United goal, which proved decisive against Leicester.
“I think we will have the same players [as against Leicester],”
Mourinho said. “I think the injured players aren’t going to be back for Brighton. What we have is Paul [Pogba] with nine days’ training, [Marcus] Rashford with 11 days’ training, [Marouane] Fellaini with nine days’ training and, of course, they will be in a better condition.
“Normally, these boys that [against Leicester] were in a difficult situation will be ready to give a bit more [against Brighton] – more [Romelu] Lukaku, more Rashford, probably Lingard coming back, more Fellaini. I think normally we’re going to have more.”