Erik ten Hag is talking seriously with Manchester United about a summer downfall and possible transfers are also a topic of discussion. The trainer of Ajax is considering according to The Telegraph and The Mirror to bring two players from their own ranks to Old Trafford: Jurriën Timber and Antony could replace Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford.
Manchester United have been struggling with clear defensive problems all season. Captain Maguire, who came over from Leicester City for 87 million euros three years ago, is under heavy fire in the English media, but retains the confidence of interim coach Ralf Rangnick and is still in the starting lineup. Gareth Southgate, the England national coach, also did not heed the call from outside to pass Maguire and ‘just’ put the mandekker up last week in the friendly against Ivory Coast (3-0 win).
Under the wings of Ten Hag, twenty-year-old Timber has broken through like a comet at Ajax. The center defender fought his way into the starting line up in January last year and has been an integral part of the defense ever since. Timber has now also played six times for the Dutch national team, of which three times last year during the European Championship. The center defender is fixed at Ajax until mid-2024, so the list leader in the Eredivisie can ask for the top prize.
Also in attack, United will probably need reinforcements, as Rashford is on the brink of leaving. In early March, Fabrizio Romano reported that the 24-year-old attacker does not intend to extend his contract expiring in mid-2023 due to the lack of playing time under Rangnick. To avert a free transfer, Rashford would have to be sold in the summer. The attacker is regularly linked to Paris Saint-Germain, which should replace the possible free transfer Kylian Mbappe.
Ten Hag would therefore consider taking Antony to Manchester. The trainer saw the 22-year-old Brazilian come in two years ago and was immediately enthusiastic, because Antony effortlessly played David Neres from the base and also kept Steven Berghuis from the right-wing position at Ajax last summer. Antony came over from São Paulo for at least 15.75 million euros, which earns twenty percent of the profit from resale. Antony will be one year longer than Timber, until mid-2025, and could become one of Ajax’s most expensive players ever.