Red the colour for me

DALEY BLIND intends to give Ajax’s fans another reason to hate him.

Manchester United’s Dutch defender was given so much grief by supporters who did not think he was good enough to follow in the footsteps of his legendary father, Danny, that he escaped to Groningen on loan.

Blind almost made the move permanent. But with help from a sports psychologist, he returned to win four Eredivisie titles and the Dutch Footballer of the Year award before moving to Old Trafford for £14million in 2014.

Despite his affection for his former club, there will be no love lost on Wednesday.

Blind (above) said: “Everybody knows I support Ajax, that I am from Amsterdam, and that I played there from the age of seven.

“Ajax is in my heart – but on Wednesday night I am United. I am a red and I want to win the final, more than anything in the world.

“When I started in the first team at Ajax it all went well. But then I had a period where it was a bit more difficult.

“I went on loan, came back stronger, but had to fight my way back into the team. It was how I developed into the person and player I am now. There are no hard feelings. I am proud I reached the level to play for Manchester United.”

Blind, 27, had to prove himself again when Jose Mourinho succeeded Louis van Gaal as United manager last summer.

Now he can be part of a team that can add the Europa League trophy and a Champions League berth to the EFL Cup and Community Shield.

Blind said: “It will be a special night.”