Daley Blind scores stunning hat-trick for Ajax in demolition of De Graafschap

Former Manchester United midfielder Daley Blind scored three goals in Ajax's 8-0 thrashing of De Graafschap on Sunday.

The Dutch international tagged on the fifth, seventh and eighth goals as Ajax cut PSV Eindhoven's lead at the top of the Eredivisie table to just two points. Blind moved to United from Ajax in 2014 and spent four seasons with the Manchester club, winning an FA Cup, a League Cup, a FA Community Shield and a Europa League title, before moving back to Ajax during the summer.   He moved back to his native Amsterdam for a fee of €20.5 million in July but he insists that he was not bothered by the price tag and that he intends to help Ajax snare the Eredivisie title back from PSV.

"I have not determined that (the fee). That was done by the crazy market," he told De Telegraaf. "I know that expectations will be high, but that is not bad, because I also demand a lot from myself. "I did not come here to finish, I am 28, feel good and I am ambitious. I'm an Ajax fan, as a result, it may be even more exciting to win the title again."

Blind also paid tribute to the managers, coaches and the medical department at Manchester United upon his departure from Old Trafford.

"To play for the biggest club in the world with such a history meant a lot to me. I had four great years with four trophies," he wrote on Twitter. "I want to thank everyone, the managers, coaches, the medical department, everyone who helped me to settle in so quick at the beginning, of course my teammates and last but definitely not least the fans. "I want to thank you for all the love and support I received and still get. I will never forget some of the special games and moments, I will miss you 'The Theatre of Dreams'! But now it's time to go home."