The Dutch national team manager, Louis van Gaal, has responded to the controversy over the transfer of Jurien Timber to Manchester United. He stressed that he was only giving advice to the player, but the decision to move or not is up to Timber.
As is well known, Erik Ten Hag decided to move to Manchester United. One of the immediate impacts that was felt was that a number of his foster children at Ajax Amsterdam were also linked with Manchester United.
At the beginning of the transfer market, the name Jurrien Timber was rumored to be the first player to potentially move to MU. Even the defender is said to have reached a personal agreement with the Red Devils.
But the transfer was suddenly cancelled. According to information circulating, the defender received threats from Louis van Gaal not to move to Manchester United, because the manager was afraid that Timber would not get many playing hours so he could potentially be unfit for the 2022 World Cup.
Check out Van Gaal's clarification below.
Just a suggestion
To ESPN, Louis van Gaal did not deny that he had been consulted by Timber regarding a transfer to Manchester United. He also did not deny that he advised the defender to reject the proposal of the Red Devils.
But Van Gaal emphatically rejected the notion that he threatened the defender not to move. Because he emphasizes the player who makes the decision to open himself.
"I want to get something straight: Yes, I did call my players, and every conversation I had was always closed with the sentence 'This is just a suggestion from me'. The player has to weigh everything himself and he has to make his own decisions," said Van Gaal.
Denied by the Player
Timber himself some time ago also denied the news that Van Gaal forbade him to move to Manchester United.
He even claimed that Van Gaal supported him moving to Manchester United. Because he thinks the defender can be a core player for the Red Devils.
But the defender decided to stay at Ajax. He even signed a new contract at the Eredivisie champions.
Cancel Buy Right Defender
Manchester United itself ultimately canceled buying a new right-back last summer.
Erik Ten Hag decided to give Aaron Wan-Bissaka a chance to rival Diogo Dalot on the right side of his defence.