Erik ten Hag could hand David Carmo dream Manchester United shirt number with transfer decision

Erik ten Hag could hand David Carmo his ideal shirt number if he signed him for Manchester United.

Centre-back is one of United's top priorities this summer as they look to improve the squad following their worst ever Premier League campaign. Harry Maguire had a disastrous season which has seen his captaincy come into question, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof both struggled while Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe could all leave this summer.

It's clear that improvements are needed at the back and the Manchester Evening News understands that Ten Hag has made Jurrien Timber his preferred option, with the manager knowing him well from their time at Ajax together. The 20-year-old is versatile enough to also play at right-back, which is handy as Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been earmarked for a departure.

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However, Timber kept his cards close to his chest when asked about his future while on international duty. “In the end, my gut feeling will be the deciding factor,” Timber was quoted as saying by De Telegraaf. “The picture has to be right.

"You can go to a big club. But if you're not going to play there it's better to stay with Ajax. And Ajax is also a big club. We play football in the Champions League and I play there together with the best players in the Netherlands. That is not nothing.

"Of course, I can develop further [at Ajax]. I am 100 per cent sure of that. I don't feel like I'm done at the club. But I can also develop at other clubs. I am now focusing on the upcoming international matches and then go on holiday. Then I'll have to think about it some more."

Should Timber decide to remain in Amsterdam, then United may be