Manchester United Transfer Target Turns Them Down Over World Cup Place

Manchester United are set to miss out on another transfer target this summer, and it's because of fears over a place in the World Cup.

Erik ten Hag always had a big job on his hands in pre season, to turn the fortunes of United around from their utterly dreadful Premier League season into a at very least a team that someway resembles what people expect of them.

That job has not been made any easier by the lack of incoming transfers at the club, especially compared to teams who are meant to be their rivals, but are already miles ahead of them.

Liverpool's signing of Darwin Nunez meant United missed out on their number one target for a forward, and it doesn't really look like they have another in mind.

Now they're set to miss out on a defensive target because of the World Cup being in November, instead of it being played right now, with Jurrien Timber reportedly ready to turn them down.

According to Dutch reporter, Mike Verweij, the versatile Ajax defender wanted assurances over playing time to make sure he didn't miss out on the Netherlands squad for the tournament, and thinks it's probably too risky to move right now.

Timber could have moved to United but looks set to turn them down. Image: Alamy

The player hasn't completely decided but does look likely to turn down the move to the Premier League right now, with a final decision to be made after he's been on holiday this week.

Timber is capable of playing at both centre back and right back and that ability would have been an extremely helpful attribute for Ten Hag.

The new manager has worked with the 21-year-old for the past two seasons, as the defender ascended into the Ajax first team in their past two Eredivisie winning campaigns.

United's new boss is reportedly not a big fan or Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Timber could have replaced him, whilst centrally the club need another option, with both starters and backup options not impressing recently.

Villarreal defender Pau Torres is another who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer, but a defender is still not the club's priority.

Pau Torres has also been linked with United. Image: Alamy

Ten Hag is desperate to add at least one midfielder to his squad, with Frenkie de Jong the priority, as the club try to persuade him to move and meet Barcelona's asking price.

They have also reportedly approached Christian Eriksen, after the Danish midfielder's deal at Brentford came to an end, although the Bees still want to keep hold of him.