'Fantastic' - Matthijs de Ligt sends Jurrien Timber message amid Manchester United links

Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt has hailed Netherlands teammate Jurrien Timber as reports linking him with a move to Manchester United continue to swirl.

Timber has been backed to follow former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag to Old Trafford this summer. The youngster was a mainstay in Ten Hag's Ajax side last season, playing 43 games in all competitions as his side defended their Eredivisie crown.

The 20-year-old centre-back offers versatility as he can also play at right-back, something which will no doubt be of interest to United given their intention to sell Aaron Wan-Bissaka. De Ligt - who commented on his own future amid United interest at the weekend - has been able to witness Timber’s qualities up close.

READ MORE:Juventus star Matthijs de Ligt drops hint on future and responds to Manchester United transfer links

While the duo did not play for the first team at the same time at Ajax, they have worked with one another with the Netherlands national team, including in the 4-1 win over Belgium on Friday. De Ligt has been impressed by the quality of Timber and he was quick to laud the United -linked youngster when asked about his talents.

“Jurrien Timber is really good,” he said, as per Metro. “He has done fantastic and he’s also been fantastic for Ajax this season, I can only be happy for him.”

Timber is expected to be in the Netherlands squad that travels to Qatar for the World Cup this winter. The youngster lifted his second Dutch title last month and helped to keep an astonishing 26 clean sheets in all competitions, one of which came in the Champions League against Erling Haaland ’s Borussia Dortmund.

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