Jurrien Timber speaks on Man Utd interest

Karan Tejwani

3 Sept 2022 13:10 BST
3 min read

Jurrien Timber, Ajax, 2021/22 — © ProShots

Ajax defender Jurrien Timber has spoken about transfer rumours from earlier in the summer as he was linked with a move to Manchester United.

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Timber had an impressive season for Ajax in 2021-22 and was widely expected to reunite with Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford when the coach moved to Manchester United.

There was reportedly a deal close early in the window, but Timber refused the move and chose to stay at Ajax, believing it ensured his World Cup chances.

Timber has been a Dutch international for a while and is on course to be one of the central defenders in the Netherlands national team for the World Cup, alongside Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt.

Timber defends Van Gaal

The 21-year-old was recently named Eredivisie Player of the Season for last season and attracted interest from top clubs across Europe over the last few months.

Many believed it was Louis van Gaal – the head coach of the Dutch national team – that advised Timber to stay at Ajax, but the player has shot down those rumours.

Speaking to Algmeen Dagblad, Timber said: “A lot of things that came out weren’t right… Like the fact that the national coach advised me not to go to United.

“During the last international period I spoke with Van Gaal. He just said, and I feel that myself, that if I make that choice, he knew that I was going to make minutes there.

He also explained the faith he and Van Gaal has in his abilities: “You never know for sure, but I also have that confidence. The national coach expresses his confidence in me.”

Congratulations to @JurrienTimber for winning the Johan Cruyff Award for Dutch Talent of the Year 2021/22! Gefeliciteerd! #CruyffLegacy pic.twitter.com/4DDi8LQBS4
— Johan Cruyff (@JohanCruyff) August 31, 2022

Now, a move for Timber looks incredibly likely in the next transfer window, despite only recently signing a contract extension with Ajax.

Should he keep up his performances and consistency, Ajax will demand a big fee, as they have done this past summer when the sold the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Antony to Manchester United.

Timber said: “Whether agreements have been made to make a transfer next year? That is the plan, so yes. But you never know how things will turn out eventually. But we’ve had good talks about that together with Ajax.”