Blind backs Dutch team-mate Donny Van de Beek to succeed at Old Trafford

Ex-Manchester United defender Daley Blind has backed Donny Van de Beek to succeed at Old Trafford despite struggling since moving to the club from Ajax in 2020.

Blind departed Man United two years before Van de Beek's big move and was a teammate of his at Ajax, where the midfielder was the crown in Erik ten Hag's side.

However, he has failed to live up to his promise so far at Old Trafford and saw a late move away from the club fall through this summer.

Blind has now backed his national team-mate to succeed in Manchester, despite Van de Beek falling down the pecking order.

'Donny's a real No.10 and there are not a lot of teams who play with a No.10 in top football,' Blind told The Athletic.

'I think he can adapt to new positions if he gets time. He has the quality to be a top player at United, but United doesn't wait for anyone.'

However, the defender admitted that it could be a struggle for the midfielder to come back from his injury struggles.

He continued: 'Donny van de Beek is a very good guy and a very good player, but big injuries have been an issue for him.

'They can be hard to come back from.'

Van de Beek is yet to make an appearance in the Premier League this season and has played for Man United just once, in the Carabao Cup.

The arrivals of Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat have seen him fall even further down the pecking order at Old Trafford and earning his place back could be a struggle.

FC Lorient withdrew from a deadline day deal for the Dutch midfielder as they reportedly 'didn't appreciate his behaviour towards them'.

He had earlier ruled out a move to the Ligue 1 side before being open to the transfer at the end of the window.

It remains to be seen as to what the future holds for Van de Beek as he looks to earn his place at United.