Daley Blind, who was widely expected to be on his way out at Manchester United, has been told by José Mourinho that he has an important part to play at Old Trafford this season.

The Holland defender is seen as someone who can help in the development of Eric Bailly, United’s talented yet raw centre back. Blind started Mourinho’s first match in charge on Sunday, a 3-1 win away to Bournemouth. The United manager would prefer a commanding centre back in the John Terry mould, but with so few reasonably-priced options available, the Portuguese looks set to stick with Blind.

The 26-year-old, despite interest from Inter Milan — whose new manager, Frank de Boer, is an admirer — is not set on leaving United only