Jurrien Timber’s potential move to Manchester United has completely broken down despite being close to finalization a few weeks ago, claims De Telegraaf journalist Marcel van der Kraan. It appears that Netherlands national team manager Louis van Gaal could’ve played a major role in stopping the deal from happening.
Manchester United Set to Miss Out on Jurrien Timber
Jurrien Timber's transfer to Manchester United is over after Holland boss, Louis van Gaal warned the move may affect his international prospects.
Louis van Gaal🗣️:
"If you go there I think your chances could be limited for playing for Holland in the World Cup".'#MUFC 🔴⚫⚪ pic.twitter.com/kCAbBE8kAM
— The Transfer Exchange Show (@TheTransferEx) June 19, 2022
Louis van Gaal’s Warning Spooks Out Ajax Defender
Van der Kraan has detailed what happened to lead to the deal for United to sign Timber now being ‘dead in the water’.
He told Sky Sports: “(The deal is) absolutely dead in the water, the player was ready to move and his agent went to London offices two weeks ago, money was never a problem. Then Louis Van Gaal turned up.
“Louis Van Gaal made it clear that Jurrien Timber would not be in his Dutch team if he wasn’t playing every week for Manchester United,” he added.
It seems like Timber was willing to join his former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, but the possibility of losing out on a spot on the Holland team for the FIFA World Cup 2022 convinced him not to make the switch.
Erik ten Hag Left Disappointed After Missing Out on Priority Target
United manager Erik ten Hag has been left upset after missing out on the prospect of re-uniting with Timber. The Dutch gaffer held the Ajax centre-back in high regard, with the 21-year-old making 43 appearances for the Eredivisie champions last season.
Ten Hag had hoped that the prospect of playing under him would tempt Timber to join him at United. But, the young defender realized that he might not get regular playing time at Old Trafford because of competition from the likes of Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, and Victor Lindelof in the centre-back position.
The United manager will now have to look for other possible targets to reinforce his defence for next season. With the Red Devils conceding 57 goals in the Premier League last season – their highest in the division’s history – it’s clear that they need a commanding centre-back who can help fix their defensive issues.
