Erik ten Hag's perfect defender may have already been sold by Manchester United

Though a number of positions need to be strengthened in the summer transfer market, a centre-back seems to be high on Erik ten Hag's priority list. The Manchester Evening News understands that Jurrien Timber, Pau Torres and David Carmo are all of interest to Manchester United.

Bar Timber, who Ten Hag wants to sign because of the immense talent he showed during his time as manager of Ajax, all of these defenders, including Lisandro Martinez who has also been linked with a move, fit a similar profile. They are all left-footed centre-backs who are strong positionally and good with the ball at their feet.

A defender who fits this profile would be perfect for Ten Hag but, ironically, United sold such a player four years prior to Ten Hag's arrival.

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The decision to sell Daley Blind always confused me. He was a big part of Jose Mourinho's first year at Old Trafford and he was later sold back to Ajax at a small profit, but he is easily one of the best signings United have made in the nine years since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.

And he has continued to show that while at Ajax, establishing himself as one of the best ball-playing defenders in the world. According to FBref, over the past year, he has averaged 10.88 progressive passes per 90 minutes played - Trent Alexander-Arnold averaged 8.5 over the same period.

Now, United obviously can't just re-sign Blind, but he can act as the blueprint for what Ten Hag wants from his defenders, both the ones he signs in the transfer market and those already at the club. Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane have all been lauded for their ball-playing ability and this is a