Ajax boss lands blow on Man United’s pursuit of Antony & Jurrien Timber

Ajax manager Alfred Schreuder has admitted he is ready to put up a fight to keep hold of Antony and Jurrien Timber amid Manchester United links.

In an interview with ESPN, the newly-appointed Lancers boss confirmed the Dutch side’s ambition to fend off Premier League enquiries.

“We want to keep Antony at Ajax. I want to work with him, and the club knows this,” he said, as relayed by Fabrizio Romano.

“I have spoken with Jurrien and I am assuming he is staying at Ajax,” he continued, via Romano.

“Timber is a smart guy and he knows what is best for him. We think he is not done at Ajax yet.”

Antony and Timber feature Man United’s shopping list close to the top, particularly in light of Erik ten Hag’s appointment as the new chief of staff.

The former Ajax manager is keen to lure his Amsterdam associates to Old Trafford to overhaul the squad he inherited from Ralf Rangnick.

Signing a new centre-back to fight the likes of Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire for a place in the starting line-up remains one of ten Hag’s priorities.

Given his relatively tender age, ample room for improvement and a substantial resale value, Timber ticks all the boxes for the type of player the Dutchman hopes to recruit.

At 21, he is already an established Eredivisie star and a regular first-team fixture in Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands side.

Meanwhile, Antony carries a reputation as one of the hottest prospects in European football following his eye-catching showings in the Champions League last season.

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The versatile Brazilian forward has flourished at Ajax over the past two years, with much of the credit for his noticeable upgrade going to ten Hag.

However, as things stand right now, the Dutch manager may have to look elsewhere to reinforce his ranks.