Louis Saha hits out at Jurrien Timber for u-turn on Manchester United move

Jurrien Timber would join Manchester United if he was ‘strong enough’, despite advice from Louis van Gaal to remain at Ajax.

That’s according to Louis Saha, who says the defender ‘might not be a very confident player’ after he reneged on a move to Old Trafford.

Timber had agreed to join United and Erik ten Hag felt the 20-year-old would become his first signing, only for the Dutchman to go cold over a £20m transfer.

That was after Van Gaal, the Netherlands manager and former United boss, warned Timber that he risks his place in Holland’s World Cup squad by moving to Old Trafford, where he would no longer be guaranteed first-team football.

But Saha believes Timber’s u-turn is a signal that the player lacks confidence, with the former United striker insisting that a ‘strong’ player would still move to Old Trafford.

‘He’s [Van Gaal] not working for Manchester United, so he’s allowed to give advice to his international players,’ said Saha.

‘If the player is strong enough to come, he’ll come. If he listens to his national team manager, he’ll do it and it would be better to stay where he is because he might not be a very confident player.

‘It’s the player’s decision, not the national team manager. If he wants to come to Man United, he will be more than welcome.’

Timber’s decision could be good news for team-mate Lisandro Martinez, who is now United’s primary defensive target.

Arsenal have had three bids turned down by Ajax for the Argentine, with United now set to join the race after agreeing a deal to sign Frenkie de Jong.

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