Manchester United Transfer News: Roma Reportedly Rejected Deal for Daley Blind

AS Roma sporting director Monchi has revealed why the Serie A club did not pursue a deal for Manchester United defender Daley Blind on deadline day of the January transfer window.

Per Uche Amako of the Daily Express, he said: "Blind was one of many names, he was offered and we evaluated him. We concluded he wasn’t a player suited to us, not least for financial reasons."

Cost wasn't the only issue, though, as Roma were also reportedly put off by United's demands.

The Red Devils wanted the Netherlands international to move to the Italian capital in a permanent deal, but Roma only wanted to secure a loan, the player's father and agent, Danny Blind, told Roma 24 (h/t Joe Short of the Daily Express).

A later report from Short confirmed how Roma had signed full-back Jonathan Silva on loan from Sporting CP, ending their interest in Blind.

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Staying put means Blind will continue to be a fringe member of manager Jose Mourinho's squad. The former Ajax star has made a mere 13 starts across all competitions, per WhoScored.com.

Even so, Blind's versatility makes him valuable. Specifically, the 27-year-old can play as a left-back, in central defence or as a holding midfielder.

All three positions have been question marks for United.

Left-back is Blind's obvious spot since Luke Shaw has struggled to stay fit and consistently convince Mourinho of his value. Instead, converted winger Ashley Young has been asked to play full-back with mixed results.

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United's soft centre was exposed during Wednesday's 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium. Centre-backs Phil Jones and Chris Smalling both struggled to deal with the pace and movement of Spurs' attack.

It's clear United have missed Eric Bailly, who continues to recover from ankle surgery. Yet Mourinho may be reluctant to play Blind centrally since the Dutchman is not imposing physically and lacks pace laterally.

However, what Blind can do is read the game well and shield the back four at the base of midfield. It's the role currently occupied by Nemanja Matic, but the Serbia international has struggled recently.

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Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News pointed out how "Matic's last passable performance for United was almost two months ago at Arsenal," while also noting the lack of obvious alternatives in the squad.

Perhaps emerging as useful cover for Matic will be the best way for Blind to make the most of still having to deal with a diminished role at Old Trafford.