Blind Backs ‘Control Freak’ Ten Hag to Deliver at Manchester United

02 November 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Dortmund: Then Ajax's head coach Erik ten Hag leads a training session for the team at at Signal Iduna Park ahead of a UEFA Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund. (dpa)
02 November 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Dortmund: Then Ajax's head coach Erik ten Hag leads a training session for the team at at Signal Iduna Park ahead of a UEFA Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund. (dpa)
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Blind Backs ‘Control Freak’ Ten Hag to Deliver at Manchester United

02 November 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Dortmund: Then Ajax's head coach Erik ten Hag leads a training session for the team at at Signal Iduna Park ahead of a UEFA Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund. (dpa)
02 November 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Dortmund: Then Ajax's head coach Erik ten Hag leads a training session for the team at at Signal Iduna Park ahead of a UEFA Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund. (dpa)

Ajax Amsterdam defender Daley Blind has described new Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag as a "control freak" and backed the Dutchman to bring success back to the club if given time and resources to establish his own playing style.

Blind, who spent four seasons at United before leaving for Ajax in 2018, won three Eredivisie titles and two domestic cups under Ten Hag.

"He's really social," the 32-year-old told https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/daley-blind-says-new-united-boss-erik-ten-hag-is-a-control-freak United's website. "I think, also in Ajax, he knows everyone at the club is important. Everyone needs to be involved to get that winning feeling, that winning mentality.

"He is aware of that and wants to keep everything close. He's also a control freak and wants to be on top of everything. I think that's a special quality you need to have when being that good."

Ten Hag takes over at Old Trafford following a woeful campaign under interim manager Ralf Rangnick, with the team finishing sixth in the Premier League and missing out on Champions League qualification.

United have not won a trophy since the Europa League in 2017 and while getting his hands on silverware will be important for Ten Hag he must first establish a clear playing style, said Blind.

"I know this manager has the quality and I hope he gets the time to put everything his way and makes sure the team plays how he wants," he added. "I am confident he will be successful."



Barcelona Pair Casadó, Martínez Out of Spain’s Nations League Squad Over Injury

Soccer Football - LaLiga - Atletico Madrid v FC Barcelona - Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - March 16, 2025 Atletico Madrid's Giuliano Simeone in action with FC Barcelona's Marc Casado REUTERS/Juan Medina
Soccer Football - LaLiga - Atletico Madrid v FC Barcelona - Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - March 16, 2025 Atletico Madrid's Giuliano Simeone in action with FC Barcelona's Marc Casado REUTERS/Juan Medina
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Barcelona Pair Casadó, Martínez Out of Spain’s Nations League Squad Over Injury

Soccer Football - LaLiga - Atletico Madrid v FC Barcelona - Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - March 16, 2025 Atletico Madrid's Giuliano Simeone in action with FC Barcelona's Marc Casado REUTERS/Juan Medina
Soccer Football - LaLiga - Atletico Madrid v FC Barcelona - Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - March 16, 2025 Atletico Madrid's Giuliano Simeone in action with FC Barcelona's Marc Casado REUTERS/Juan Medina

Midfielder Marc Casadó and central defender Iñigo Martínez are out of Spain's Nations League quarter-final because of injury, the national soccer federation said Monday.
Defending champion Spain visits the Netherlands on Thursday and hosts them on Sunday in the return match.
Casadó hurt his right knee in the second half of Barcelona’s 4-2 win at Atletico Madrid in the Spanish league on Sunday. National team coach Luis de la Fuente has replaced him with Bayer Leverkusen's Aleix García.
Barcelona teammate Martínez also has a right knee problem, though the defender finished the match against Atletico. He has been replaced for the Nations League matches by Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, a member of Spain’s under-21 squad.