Ajax director of football Marc Overmars has claimed that Daley Blind, who joined Manchester United at the end of the recent transfer window, almost joined Aston Villa one-and-a-half years ago.

Former Arsenal midfielder Overmars said that Blind had overcome being jeered by the Ajax fans and that he wasn't prepared to stand in the way of a Premier League move for the versatile winger.

Overmars told Ajax Life: "One-and-a-half years ago Daley was still jeered and we were also hesitating over whether we should perhaps sell him to Aston Villa for a nice sum or look during the summer break at how he would develop, knowing that his contract which expire.

"When you see what he has gone through and what he has overcome, then you can't deny him this opportunity. Then you become the big losers if you stop the transfer."

Blind could make his Premier League debut against Queens Park Rangers at Old Trafford on Sunday.