Manchester United sent transfer warning over Ajax starlet Jurrien Timber after Erik ten Hag comments

Netherlands icon Ruud Gullit has warned Manchester United and other potential suitors that Jurrien Timber might not adjust to the blood and thunder of Premier League action. Speculation over the Ajax defender is at fever pitch amid suggestions he could follow Erik ten Hag to Old Trafford this summer.

United have yet to formally appoint Ten Hag. However, after Manchester Evening News revealed early last month that he had been identified as a preferred candidate to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on a permanent basis, it ought only to be a matter of time before the 52-year-old puts pen to paper with the club.

As a result, several Ten Hag-favoured players have already been linked to United and Timber falls into that bracket. The young centre-back has made 39 appearances in all competitions this season.

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Already capped six times by the Netherlands national team, Timber has long-since been tipped for the top and the 20-year-old has earned rave reviews for his mature performances in the Ajax defence. However, according to Gullit, his undoubted ability will not, necessarily, allow him to succeed over in the UK.

Speaking to Ajax Showtime, the former Chelsea player and manager said: "I think Timber is a very good player, but whether he can be a defender in England... You also play against Burnley and West Brom. The top-seven strikers are all world-beaters.

"I think he is a very good footballer, but I have my doubts about whether he is a good defender."

Previously addressing the player's qualities, United manager-elect Ten Hag said: "Jurrien can play at left-back or in central midfield. He will not immediately be a leader of the Ajax first