Former Man Utd defender Daley Blind faces hospital tests on his heart after collapsing on the pitch

Former Manchester United star Daley Blind is facing further hospital tests on his heart after collapsing during Ajax's friendly victory over Hertha Berlin when his pacemaker switched off.

The 30-year-old was diagnosed with heart muscle inflammation back in December and was fitted with a implantable cardioverter defibrillator (pacemaker), a small device which can treat people with dangerously abnormal heart rhythms.

Blind had been diagnosed with the condition after falling to the ground feeling dizzy during a European game against Valencia and missed months of action before returning in February after having surgery.

On Tuesday night there were huge concerns for Blind's welfare again though as he suffered his second scare in just nine months.

Blind fell to the ground with no one around him and had to receive medical attention before walking off the pitch clutching his chest.

The Dutchman is now set for further tests at hospital amid fears for his health and career.

Ajax boss Erik ten Hag confirmed after the match his pacemaker had switched off and that they would 'do more research into his problem'.

The ICD box, which is often referred to as as a pacemaker, fitted to Blind is designed to treat people with dangerously abnormal heart rhythms through electrical impulses.

After having the device implanted ahead of his return back in February, Blind spoke of how much he enjoyed playing in a Dutch Cup fixture - and was not scared at all.

'I am really happy to be back on the pitch,' Blind told Fox Sports Netherlands.

'I had a little bit of tension beforehand because you don't know how it will go.

'The doctor really needed to hold me back and step on the brakes because I wanted to get back ASAP. I wasn't scared at all, I wanted to get back on the pitch as fast as possible.'

He featured in the final four league games and played in two cup games before the season in Holland was brought to an abrupt end in March by the coronavirus pandemic.

Blind has played in a number of pre-season friendlies over the past month but there will now be questions over whether or not he can continue to play.

Ajax saw out Tuesday's friendly against Hertha after Blind was forced off, with Zakaria Labyad's first-half goal proving to be the difference.