Come on in and join the club! Get our daily Manchester United email newsletter Sign me up! Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Ajax are bracing themselves for a Manchester United bid for Dutch international Daley Blind this week.

New boss Louis van Gaal is expected to sanction a £15million offer for the versatile 24-year-old in the next 48 hours after losing out to Barcelona in the race to sign Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen.

Barca are also ­interested in Blind, but their successful pursuit of Vermaelen has strengthened the Old Trafford giants' resolve to beat the Catalans to a player Van Gaal knows well.

Sunday Mirror Sport understands that Ajax are resigned to losing Blind and have already lined up PAOK Athens’ Dutch international Hedwiges Maduro as a replacement.

And after taking advice from his father Danny – the former Dutch international who was on Van Gaal’s coaching staff with Holland – Blind returned from his summer break a week early to begin a training programme designed to get his fitness levels up.

(Image: Charlie Crowhurst)

Blind is seen as the perfect Van Gaal player after playing a key role in Holland’s third-placed finish at the World Cup as he can operate at left-back or as a defensive midfielder.

But he was coy about his future on Saturday night.

Blind said: “What will I do when Louis van Gaal tells me he wants me to come to Manchester United? I will consider it.

"The World Cup has been a massive boost for my experience and I have made no secret that I will listen when a nice offer comes my way.”

Van Gaal is furious he missed out on Vermaelen.

Arsene Wenger was keen to keep him out of Van Gaal’s clutches after losing Robin van Persie to the Reds two years ago.

And when United rejected Wenger’s ­suggestion to include Chris Smalling in a swap deal, he ordered Arsenal to agree a deal with Barcelona for the 28-year-old.

poll loading Who should be Manchester United captain? 4000+ VOTES SO FAR Wayne Rooney Robin van Persie Darren Fletcher Jonny Evans Other

Did you know we have a dedicated Manchester United page on Facebook?

Pick your Mirror Fantasy Football team now

Who's in your squad?