Manchester United will complete the signing of Ajax defender Jurrien Timber this summer, according to talkSPORT.
Despite reports that Timber could remain at the Eredivisie winners, Dutch football journalist Marcel van der Kraan believes the 20-year-old centre-back will reconnect with Erik ten Hag.
Timber’s arrival, according to Van der Kraan, might lead to the Premier League club adopting a style similar to rivals Manchester City.
“I’m absolutely convinced he’s going to get Timber in at Manchester United,” he told talkSPORT. “I know the player said he has to think about leaving Ajax… I think it was all political talk.
“I think he’s already made his mind up and he will join Ten Hag.”
Despite his young age, Timber, under Ten Haag, made more passes (2,267), made more tackles (73), completed more take-ons (28) and kept more clean sheets (16) than any other centre-back in the Eredivisie in the 2021/22 season.
“He’ll be a really important player for Ten Hag because he can change the build-up from the back. He can change the style.
“If you look at when Rio Ferdinand joined, he was a footballing central defender. Ten Hag will never play with two Harry Maguires. He will want to have a real footballing player in central defence to start the build-up.
“Ten Hag will want to play on the half of opponents, just like Pep Guardiola. He’s a massive fan of Pep. I would almost think that there will be two teams with the same playing style in Manchester.”
Ten Hag faces a monumental assignment as the new manager of Manchester United, who hasn’t won the Premier League in nine years and hasn’t tasted silverware since 2017.
Ten Hag has also been urged not to fall into the same trap as former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal of being ‘too Dutch.’
Marciano Vink believes Timber will join Man Utd
Former Ajax midfielder Marciano Vink believes De Godenzonen defender Jurrien Timber will find it difficult to reject down a move to Manchester United this summer.
Vink offered his thoughts on the lines, stating that Timber would be a good addition to the Red Devils. The former Ajax player also brushed off suggestions that the centre-back is too young for the Premier League. He stated to Ajax Life:
“I don’t feel like going behind the crowd and saying he’s way too young to go to the Premier League. Timber is definitely an option for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, I think, just like Antony. When Manchester United come, you will not say: I will stay at Ajax for another year. Why would you?”
