Louis van Gaal admitted Jurrien Timber was playing on “his final legs” after the Manchester United target struggled in his latest outing with the Netherlands.
Timber was substituted just after the hour mark as the Dutch had to fight back from 2-0 down against Poland to rescue a 2-2 draw in the Nations League. Davy Klaassen and Denzel Dumfries’ goals saw them fight back after Matty Cash and Piotr Zielinski’s strikes had put the visitors ahead, although former United forward Memphis Depay missed the chance to complete a comeback victory as he missed a stoppage-time penalty.
United fans will no doubt have been watching on with interest, with transfer targets Timber and Frenkie de Jong in action for the Netherlands. Erik ten Hag is eager to reunite with his two former Ajax protégés as he begins his rebuild at Old Trafford.
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Those tuning in may have been left disappointed by Timber’s performance, with the 20-year-old being hauled off by Van Gaal with 25 minutes to play. The former United boss admitted the youngster is beginning to suffer after a long season.
"So I was certainly not satisfied with Timber,” Van Gaal told the media after the game. “Well, one action is not enough. Believe me. You have to play football as a team and then you have to carry out the assignment that we agree on together. So you have to play fast.''
Van Gaal added: “I think Timber is playing on his final legs. He has played the entire season and looks tired. And now he has to play again, in a different system."
If Timber is to make the move to Old Trafford this summer, Ten Hag will have to bear Van Gaal’s comments in mind. With a Europa League campaign to deal with next season, as well as the World Cup in the winter, he may have to plan how to give the young defender opportunities to rest and recover.
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