Louis van Gaal is weighing up a move for Daley Blind, though Ajax are insistent the 24-year-old will be sold only for an “absolute top price” as the Manchester United manager seeks to strengthen his squad following the 4-0 hiding by MK Dons in the Capital One Cup.

Van Gaal wants at least one central midfielder and a centre-back. Blind is being seriously considered because he can play as a defensive midfielder, central defender or as a wing-back or left-back. Van Gaal coached Holland at the World Cup and believes Blind is the one defender from that squad of the requisite ability for United.

Marc Overmars, the Ajax director of football, told De Telegraaf: “We believe that we currently have a strong team and want Daley to stay for another year. Only if the absolute top price is paid is a transfer negotiable. Daley’s management know how we feel at the moment. Next year we will have a much more lenient policy, we are willing to talk with Daley and we will settle for a reasonable price.

“There’s some rumblings around Daley, some clubs inquired, but there is no concrete offer. And with Manchester United, there is no contact at all.”

However, despite the stance, it is understood that Ajax are willing to engage in negotiations over the final fee for Blind, which may be in the region of £20m.

Arturo Vidal and Nigel de Jong are also of interest to them. Van Gaal has reservations regarding the serious knee injury Vidal suffered with Juventus last season and De Jong’s age – Milan’s Dutchman is 29 – may count against him. Yet despite this and sources at Old Trafford once more insisting on Wednesday that there has been no move for either player, attempts may be made to sign the two midfielders.

Angel di María, who joined United from Real Madrid on Tuesday in a British record transfer of £59.7m, believes he can achieve plenty at the club despite the defeat at MK Dons. “I want to achieve great things with Manchester United and I would like to win many trophies with them,” he said. “One of the objectives and one of the goals would be to actually get back into the Champions League.

“I am looking forward to working with Louis van Gaal. He is a very good manager and he did very well with Holland during the World Cup.”

Jonny Evans, at fault for two of MK Dons’ goals, praised Di María’s arrival. “We hear things in the press like everyone else, but I think the club have always said that they’re willing to spend,” the defender said. “Angel’s a fantastic player, so I’m sure the lads are excited to work alongside him.”