Jurrien Timber appears to have opened the door to a Manchester United move, less than a year after ruling out an Old Trafford switch.
Dutch international defender Timber impressed under Erik ten Hag last season as Ajax won the Eredivisie. He was one of the players linked with a Man Utd move after Ten Hag took over at the club, but instead opted to stay in Amsterdam while former team-mates Lisandro Martinez and Antony moved on.
A few short months later, though, things have changed. Ajax are playing catch-up in the Dutch title race, with a poor run of form seeing manager Alfred Schreuder sacked in January, and fresh comments from their young star are being scrutinised ahead of the summer transfer window.
“Transfer? You never know what crosses your path," Timber said, per Ajax Life. "This summer I will look at my options and make a decision”.
“I feel good at Ajax, that's important for now. Last summer there was interest, but I chose to stay at Ajax”
Timber played 30 league games under Ten Hag in the 2021-22 season, and has remained a regular pick this term under Schreuder and his successor, former Netherlands defender John Heitinga. The 21-year-old was also part of the Dutch squad for Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup, having opted against a Man Utd move.
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In July, the Dutch media reported that Timber didn't feel moving to Man Utd last summer was right for the current stage of his career. However, he would later play down suggestions that former United boss Louis van Gaal - then his manager at international level - talked him out of a switch.
"Many things that are written in the media are false," Timber told Dutch outlet AD. Like when people say that it was Louis van Gaal who told me not to go to Manchester United. He actually said I would make minutes there,”
"I think a player of his quality can play in the Premier League. That is not a problem," Van Gaal had earlier said. "If he has to make this big step now, that's the question. It is not so wise I think [to move to United]. He has to play.”
Timbers comments come amid a difficult weekend for Man Utd, whose defensive frailties were laid bare in a record-breaking 7-0 defeat at Liverpool. After suffering the heaviest reverse of his career, Ten Hag called the performance "unprofessional" and hit out at the poor decision-making which allowed his team's opponents to score six second-half goals.
"We have made a lot of progress but you see what happens when you don't keep standards," the 53-year-old told Sky Sports. "What I have said in the dressing room is that this is unacceptable. But also it is only one game. We will bounce back. This team is strong enough and we will reset and bounce back."
