Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2014 10:41:47 GMT
www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/7-things-you-need-know-4132902?
The Dutchman is set to become United's sixth signing of the summer and will link up with Louis van Gaal again at Old Trafford
The 24-year-old impressed under Louis van Gaal for the Netherlands at the World Cup and has made no secret of his desire to link up again.
And he will get his wish after United met Ajax's asking price.
The left-back will now complete a medical and seek to agree personal terms at Old Trafford before Monday's deadline.
So we are all aware he is a Dutch international but what else do you need to know?
Here's a few nuggets for you to check out.
Blind-ing start
Ajax's illustrious academy has seen some star names graduate over the years - Rafael van der Vaart, Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, the list goes on.
And Blind has followed in their footsteps with the club realising his potential at the tender age of 17.
He was awarded Ajax's 'Talent of the Future' award in 2007/08 before winning the first-team player of the year in 2013.
Fine company
Following Ajax's Eredivise title success in May, Blind was crowned the league's Player of the Year.
That came despite just bagging one goal over the course of the season, clearly impressing with his performances at the other end of the pitch.
Past winners include Ruud van Nistelrooy, Luis Suarez and Dennis Bergkamp - none of which had too shabby Premier League careers.
Family affair
Blind's father Danny is also a former player - making over 300 appearances for Ajax where he won just about everything in sight.
He also went on to manage the Eredivisie champions in 2005 before taking up a role with the Dutch national side, under Van Gaal in 2012.
Blind Snr. was the United boss' assistant coach during the World Cup in Brazil and is sure to have had a role in his son's move.
He supplied THAT pass
The World Cup seems so long ago now but surely nobody has forgotten Robin van Persie's sensational diving header against Spain.
The United striker flung himself at a diagonal pass from none other than Blind, before looping his effort over Iker Casillas.
The Old Trafford faithful will hope the pair can strike up a similar bond in the red shirt.
Middle of the park
Blind started his career as a left-back but has often been deployed as a midfielder for club and country.
And it looks as though that is where Van Gaal will deploy his newest recruit.
After all, he has brought in orthodox left-backs Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo this summer with United's midfield crying out for reinforcements.
Michael Carrick's absence is likely to give Blind a chance in the middle and expect him to take it.
The other half
The Dutchman is currently dating model and dancer Candy-Rae Fleur.
Broadcast media training is on her resume - as is dancing with Robin Thicke at the VMA's.
Thankfully, she wasn't the one with the foam finger!
We were impressed
It takes a lot to break into the Mirror Football best XI's but Blind managed it in Brazil this summer.
After impressing for Van Gaal's side, our man Ed Malyon voted for the 24-year-old in his 'Team of the group stages'.
The reference to him being a 'Dutch Stretch Armstrong' due to his phenomenal flexibility is an indication of just what United are getting.
The Dutchman is set to become United's sixth signing of the summer and will link up with Louis van Gaal again at Old Trafford
The 24-year-old impressed under Louis van Gaal for the Netherlands at the World Cup and has made no secret of his desire to link up again.
And he will get his wish after United met Ajax's asking price.
The left-back will now complete a medical and seek to agree personal terms at Old Trafford before Monday's deadline.
So we are all aware he is a Dutch international but what else do you need to know?
Here's a few nuggets for you to check out.
Blind-ing start
Ajax's illustrious academy has seen some star names graduate over the years - Rafael van der Vaart, Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, the list goes on.
And Blind has followed in their footsteps with the club realising his potential at the tender age of 17.
He was awarded Ajax's 'Talent of the Future' award in 2007/08 before winning the first-team player of the year in 2013.
Fine company
Following Ajax's Eredivise title success in May, Blind was crowned the league's Player of the Year.
That came despite just bagging one goal over the course of the season, clearly impressing with his performances at the other end of the pitch.
Past winners include Ruud van Nistelrooy, Luis Suarez and Dennis Bergkamp - none of which had too shabby Premier League careers.
Family affair
Blind's father Danny is also a former player - making over 300 appearances for Ajax where he won just about everything in sight.
He also went on to manage the Eredivisie champions in 2005 before taking up a role with the Dutch national side, under Van Gaal in 2012.
Blind Snr. was the United boss' assistant coach during the World Cup in Brazil and is sure to have had a role in his son's move.
He supplied THAT pass
The World Cup seems so long ago now but surely nobody has forgotten Robin van Persie's sensational diving header against Spain.
The United striker flung himself at a diagonal pass from none other than Blind, before looping his effort over Iker Casillas.
The Old Trafford faithful will hope the pair can strike up a similar bond in the red shirt.
Middle of the park
Blind started his career as a left-back but has often been deployed as a midfielder for club and country.
And it looks as though that is where Van Gaal will deploy his newest recruit.
After all, he has brought in orthodox left-backs Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo this summer with United's midfield crying out for reinforcements.
Michael Carrick's absence is likely to give Blind a chance in the middle and expect him to take it.
The other half
The Dutchman is currently dating model and dancer Candy-Rae Fleur.
Broadcast media training is on her resume - as is dancing with Robin Thicke at the VMA's.
Thankfully, she wasn't the one with the foam finger!
We were impressed
It takes a lot to break into the Mirror Football best XI's but Blind managed it in Brazil this summer.
After impressing for Van Gaal's side, our man Ed Malyon voted for the 24-year-old in his 'Team of the group stages'.
The reference to him being a 'Dutch Stretch Armstrong' due to his phenomenal flexibility is an indication of just what United are getting.
