Erik ten Hag has found his new Daley Blind with Luke Shaw

Add as preferred source on Google

Erik ten Hag made clear in the summer he wanted to bring his Ajax success to Manchester United, with the same style and methods too.

His actions demonstrated this, signing Ajax stars Antony and Lisandro Martinez. Both players will be key parts his squad for years to come.

Ten Hag is also overseeing the under-21 squad, reports The Mirror, as he looks to further integrate his Ajax philosophy, creating easier pathways from the academy to the first team.

He is also enamoured by the recent form of Luke Shaw at centre-back, showing a versatility he was not aware of from the defender. Shaw can be his new Daley Blind, one of his stars through his time as Ajax manager.

READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loan deals for January 2023

Ten Hag has found his new Daley Blind

Daley Blind starred for Manchester United in different roles under Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, featuring in midfield, left-back and centre-back.

But it was upon his return to Ajax where Blind enjoyed the best spell of his club career, helping the Dutch side reach the Champions League semi-finals.

Blind made 171 appearances under Erik ten Hag, and did so in two positions, both at left-back and at centre-back.

At left-back he often alternated by Nicolas Tagliafico, while it was in central defence where he featured more regularly – even with the emergence of Jurrien Timber and Lisandro Martinez.

His ability to play in both positions was extremely valuable to Ten Hag, and this is an option the manager has discovered he has at Manchester United, now with Luke Shaw.

Like Daley Blind, Luke Shaw is not tall, both are 5 ft 9″, but each of them possess other traits which make them good centre-backs, an intelligence to read the game, and his tenacity.

Ten Hag explained after the Wolves game that playing Shaw in central defence gave United the best chance to win, as his ability to cover, could allow Tyrell Malacia to push forward.

He told the club website: “I think he did fabulous and was impressive. But we also know he is really good as a full-back [so] it’s an extra option and [that] is always good for a team.” 

“Defending-wise, we know the speed from Wolves over on the right side, and he [Shaw] could cover that because we wanted to attack over on the left side with offensive game from Tyrell Malacia, so that was a good fit.”

Lisandro Martinez will be Erik ten Hag’s preference for a the left-sided centre-back spot – but the manager has an intriguing new option with Luke Shaw, just as he did with Daley Blind at Ajax.

Shaw could have an important role in the years to come for United across both left-back and centre-back positions, and a new contract extension is likely to come his way.