Man United can sign Timber in 2023

Manchester United have had what can solely be described as a Jekyll and Hyde begin to the season. Erik ten Hag’s opening two Premier League matches in cost towards Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford resulted in two defeats, with six targets conceded and just one scored.

The Dutchman will need to have questioned what precisely he had signed up for in coming to Previous Trafford, however then got here a crucial victory towards a stagnant Liverpool; and looking out again, it looks like that was the catalyst for his or her present run of four successive wins, which leaves them simply three factors off the summit.

With new signing Antony settling in effectively with a debut goal towards Arsenal, plentiful summer season switch enterprise and an ever-growing confidence, you would forgive the United devoted for perhaps getting a bit carried away – and it would effectively get higher…

Ten Hag might bin Maguire

The Pink Devils tried to signal Jurrien Timber from Ajax this summer season, however he seemingly rejected a transfer and signed a brand new take care of the Eredivisie champions till 2025.

Ten Hag could possibly be given a glimmer of hope, although, with the 21-year-old not too long ago discussing his future as he said: “Whether or not agreements have been made to make a switch subsequent yr? That’s the intention, sure, however you by no means know the way it will go. However that has been mentioned effectively along with Ajax.”

With Timber’s obvious intention to go away Amsterdam, the United supervisor will certainly be taking a look at making him one in all his switch priorities subsequent summer season; and the teenager, who Ajax worth at €50m (£43m), could be an improve on Harry Maguire.

The Englishman – who has been dubbed “laughable” for his performances for United amid a series of errors – is incomes a staggering £190k-p/w, and Timber could be a less expensive and higher various on simply £24k-p/w at the moment.

The Dutchman supplies a much bigger objective menace from defence, scoring three occasions and grabbing two assists in 2021/22, whereas Maguire solely scored as soon as all season. Timber additionally gained extra tackles (44 to 26), tried extra passes (2,267 to 1,563) and gained the next share of floor duels (69.43% to 59.38%) than the ex-Leicester centre-back final season.

Ought to Manchester United signal Timber?

Timber was ever current in an Ajax defence which conceded simply 12 targets and stored 16 clear sheets. Examine this to Maguire’s stats within the United group – with solely six clear sheets and 41 targets conceded on his watch, it’s clear to see who’s the extra dependable out of the 2 on the coronary heart of defence.

Ten Hag needs to be making his transfer to signal Timber as quickly as potential, because the 21-year-old might effectively be the lacking piece of his jigsaw in his new-look Pink Devils group, additionally enabling him to bin the hapless Maguire within the course of.