Virgil van Dijk has lauded Manchester United target Jurrien Timber as a “professional” and stated his “potential is so high” in a recent pre-match press conference for the Netherlands national team.
Manchester United Tried to Bring Jurrien Timber to Old Trafford in June
Jurriën Timber, doing great again with Ajax and Dutch national team after signing new deal until June 2025 in the summer. ⭐️🇳🇱 #Ajax
Van Dijk says: “I was never that good at the age of Timber, he’s just 21… I can only praise him. His potential is so high, I’m sure”. pic.twitter.com/tdxs2YPoEa
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 24, 2022
The Ajax Defender Ultimately Decided to Stay at His Club
United pursued Timber throughout the summer transfer window with the player seemingly open to make the move to the Premier League. The 21-year-old then opted to sign a contract extension with Ajax, keeping him in Amsterdam until 2025.
Erik ten Hag had already looked to his former club to secure Lisandro Martinez, who has played a crucial role since arriving in Manchester, and Alfred Schreuder was not allowing both defenders to leave in the same window.
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Regarding Timber’s decision to stay at his club, Fabrizio Romano said: “It has been speculated that he decided to stay at Ajax in order to ensure he was playing regularly before the World Cup.” He added: “We’ll see if Manchester United or other big clubs will try again next summer.”
Game Time Key for International Call-Ups This Winter – World Cup Fast Approaching
Timber has made nine senior appearances for the Netherlands national team and has a strong chance of receiving a call-up for the World Cup if he plays the majority of games for his club until November.
Jurriën Timber first half performance:
• 100% ground duels won (2/2)
• 100% long balls completed (2/2)
• 100% dribble attempts (2/2)
• 96% passing accuracy (47 passes completed)
• 2 clearances
• 2 interceptions
• 0 times dribbled past pic.twitter.com/bMF9eo8I8I— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) September 22, 2022
At United, the young defender may have struggled to compete for a place in the starting 11 with Ten Hag now preferring a partnership of both Martinez and Raphael Varane – which has proven to be a success. Even club captain Harry Maguire has been forced to take a stint on the substitute bench.
Liverpool Star Praises Netherlands Teammate
Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk has praised his Dutch counterpart prior to Netherlands’ Nations League fixtures this September, saying: “I was never as advanced at the age of Jurrien Timber than he is right now at the age of 21. I can only praise him.
“He is such a professional and his potential is so high.”
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United May Continue Pursuit of Timber Next Summer
Whilst a January move for Timber is unlikely, Ten Hag could look to reunite with his former prodigy once the transfer market opens again at the end of the season. The United manager has already bolstered his squad with two additions he managed during his reign at Ajax; Martinez and Antony. The players were keen to reunite with Ten Hag.
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Timber was named Ajax Talent of the Year for the 2021/2022 campaign. He won two Eredivisie titles under Ten Hag, as well as the KNVB Cup. Once the looming stresses of an international call-up have passed, the young star could decide to join his former manager and teammates and further reach his potential in this new-look United side.
