Louis van Gaal warns Ajax star Jurrien Timber against Man Utd move | Soccer

Centre-back Timber has been linked with a move to the Red Devils, with Erik ten Hag trying to reunite with the promising 20-year-old at Old Trafford.

However, former United boss and current Netherlands manager Van Gaal doesn’t think Timber should make a move in the upcoming transfer window with a place in the Netherlands squad for the World Cup at stake.

‘I think a player with his [Timber’s] Qualities can play in the Premier League,” Van Gaal said in his press conference ahead of the Dutch Nations League clash with Wales on Wednesday.

‘This is not a problem. But whether he has to take that step now… that’s another question.

‘That’s not so wise, I think [to move to United]. He has to play.’

While Timber is a steady starter at Ajax, it’s unclear how committed he would be to United’s first-team as Ten Hag, while talented, could prefer the experience of the likes of Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire in the early stages of the next Season.

The defender’s place in the Netherlands squad, meanwhile, is far from guaranteed as Oranje are equipped with top-class centre-backs like Virgil van Dijk, Matthijs de Ligt, Nathan Ake and Stefan de Vrij.

Van Gaal also commented on Ten Hag’s appointment as Red Devils boss and seems to have changed his tune slightly after previously warning his compatriot to stay away from Old Trafford.

He had previously described United as a “commercial club” but the changes in the club’s hierarchy suggested things will be better for Ten Hag than they were for Van Gaal during his two-year spell at Manchester.

“I talked to him [Ten Hag] but there is new leadership now,” he added.

‘[Before] it was [Ed] Woodward, it’s Richard Arnold now. That can make a difference. Erik has a lot of self-confidence. Who am I to say anything about it?’

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