{"id":612939,"date":"2022-05-23T09:20:17","date_gmt":"2022-05-23T13:20:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=612939"},"modified":"2022-05-23T09:20:17","modified_gmt":"2022-05-23T13:20:17","slug":"manchester-united-pole-position-ajax-defender","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2022\/05\/23\/manchester-united-pole-position-ajax-defender\/","title":{"rendered":"Manchester United in Pole Position to Sign Ajax Defender"},"content":{"rendered":"

Manchester United<\/a> are looking to sign a central defender following the likely departure of Eric Bailly<\/a> and Phil Jones this summer but also the underwhelming performances we have witnessed this season. According to football journalist Jonathan Shrager<\/a>, Manchester United are believed to be leading the line to sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber.<\/p>\n

Manchester United Are Frontrunners to Sign Ajax Defender Jurrien Timber<\/h2>\n

Why Erik Ten Hag Wants Jurrien Timber<\/h3>\n

Manchester United\u2019s incoming coach has pinpointed a centre-back as one of his main priorities in his highly anticipated overhaul of players. Ten Hag<\/a> will want to recondition multiple areas within the squad he takes charge of in the summer but only so much can happen in his opening months under his watch.<\/p>\n

During his tenure under Ten Hag, Jurrien Timber has become such a defining presence at the back at just 20 years of age. He has even been hailed<\/a> as a ‘great leader’ by his now-former manager. He has five goal involvements in Ajax\u2019s second-consecutive title-winning campaign and has shone in a star-studded side. He averages 90.8 touches per game, wins 67% of his duels, and makes an average of 2.4 tackles, 1.7 interceptions and 1.4 clearances per game.<\/p>\n

Erik Ten Hag is particularly impressed with Timber\u2019s versatility, as, during his time at the Johan Cruyff Arena, he has shown that right-back is also a role that he can fulfill when required. Although Diogo Dalot<\/a> is reportedly in the new manager\u2019s plan for the next campaign, Aaron Wan-Bissaka iis available for transfer. A rotation option for this position is likely to also be on Ten Hag\u2019s large to-do list, but having Timber available in the case will be invaluable to the squad.<\/p>\n

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Jurrien Timber has had a \ud835\udc29\ud835\udc21\ud835\udc1e\ud835\udc27\ud835\udc28\ud835\udc26\ud835\udc1e\ud835\udc27\ud835\udc1a\ud835\udc25 \ud835\udc2c\ud835\udc1e\ud835\udc1a\ud835\udc2c\ud835\udc28\ud835\udc27 at Ajax:<\/p>\n

91.5% pass success rate \ud83c\udfaf
\n79.9 passes per 90 \ud83e\udd2f
\n123 tackles and interceptions combined \ud83d\udcaa
\nEredivisie team of the season \ud83e\udd47 #ManUnited<\/a> #MUFC<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/6K995LoDDc<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Erik Ten Hag (@silencer202) May 19, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n