Former Manchester United defender Daley Blind said he was grateful to play for Jose Mourinho and that his former manager's approach could help him now at Ajax.

Blind, who left United last month to return to his former club after four seasons, said his experience with Mourinho the last two years was "very positive."

"I've almost played 150 games and won four trophies with them," Blind said after a 3-0 victory over Standard Liege in the third qualifying round of the Champions League. "I've really had a great time with lots of beautiful moments. I am very thankful for the fans there that was great. I am very thankful to Mourinho. It was nice working with him."

Blind left Ajax in 2014, and he returned to the club in a transfer initially worth £14.1 million after he was deemed surplus to requirements.

He insisted that he had no problems with Mourinho despite making only seven Premier League appearances last season.

"I learned a lot [from Mourinho]," Blind said. "He is a true winner and he is the best in transferring that to the group."

Ajax settled for a 2-2 draw in the first leg after their opponents equalised in the 94th minute, and Blind, when asked if Mourinho's late-game managing could help Ajax, believed it could.

"When you look at the first away game against Liege, we can definitely make improvement there," he said.