Daley Blind names five Man United players he was ‘really close’ with at Old Trafford

Former Manchester United player Daley Blind has named the players that he was closest with during his time at Old Trafford.

Blind, 33, spent four years at United after joining in the summer of 2014 shortly after the World Cup in Brazil.

The Netherlands defender was brought into the club by Louis van Gaal, who managed their national side that tournament before making the move to Manchester.

At United; Blind offered impressive versatility which seen him operate at left-back, centre-back and defensive midfield for extended periods.

Now at Bayern Munich; the Dutchman has reflected on his time in England and which of his teammates he was closest with at United.

“I was really close with some players, like Chris Smalling was my partner at the back of course,” began Blind, whilst speaking on United’s official podcast. “Jesse Lingard was a really funny guy, Marcus Rashford had just come through the academy, of course Fosu-Mensah was there, a Dutch guy, Memphis Depay was there for a little bit (too).”

Unexpectedly, however, Blind detailed that he did not really build relationships with teammates outside of Carrington but does remain close with Andy Walling, the club’s first-team physiotherapist.

“I think I was close, I was good with anyone in the dressing room, but not with someone particularly close with outside of the pitch,” he added.

“I had Andy (Walling) the physiotherapist, the massage guy, I have still contact with him, he’s a really good guy.”

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Blind left United in 2018 after two seasons under Jose Mourinho, who replaced Van Gaal.

He returned to Ajax, where he worked under Erik ten Hag until he joined United as manager last year. Blind then left the Netherlands club in January this year.