Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, may be planning another raid on his old team Ajax this summer. The 53-year-old is reportedly eager to revive his interest in promising defender Jurrien Timber.

What has changed regarding Timber and Man United?

That’s according to writer Scott Saunders who stated on Twitter that United are “still in the mix” to recruit the intriguing Dutchman ahead of next season, with the 21-year-old ready to “decide on his future” at the end of the current campaign.

According to the attached 90-minute report, the 5 foot 10-inch titan has asked his agents to start looking into the possibility of leaving Amsterdam this summer. Ten Hag appears ready to take his former asset “tomorrow,” such is his admiration for the adaptable youngster.

The report continues by saying that while the Red Devils will probably prioritize a new center-midfielder and a center-forward in the upcoming window, the addition of a new right-back and center-back could also possibly be in the works, with Timber offering the advantage of being able to play in both of those positions.

The 14-cap wonder, who was valued at £43 million at the time, was reportedly being courted by the Old Trafford club last summer, according to reports. However, the Utrecht native ultimately decided to sign a contract extension with the Eredivisie giants.

What does Harry Maguire’s future hold?

Even though Ten Hag and company later strengthened their defense by signing Lisandro Martinez from the Johan Cruyff Arena, with the uncertainty surrounding the future of club captain Harry Maguire, it may still be necessary to sign another new center-back.

The 30-year-old, who cost £80 million to sign, is one of a select group of first-team players who may be allowed to leave the club this summer. He has started just five Premier League games this season.

The unimportant player, who talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan recently referred to as a “liability,” may not have contributed to the recent humiliation at the hands of rivals Liverpool, but he does appear to disagree with the manager’s methods, as Ten Hag was quoted as saying in November in The Guardian that Maguire’s “sluggish pace” was a problem.

Since the Netherlands international Timber, who is valued at £39 million, appears to recover from injuries much more quickly than United’s captain, turning to him could therefore help hasten the Englishman’s departure. Talent scout Jacek Kulig has previously said of Timber’s abilities:

Although he is not the tallest defender, his game knowledge, anticipation, pace, and ball abilities are superb.

While Timber has been a key player for his current team thus far this season, Maguire has fallen by the wayside recently, averaging just 0.5 tackles and 0.7 interceptions per game from his ten league appearances. Timber, however, has been a key player for his current team, noting a notable 1.2 tackles and one interception per 90 from his 24 league starts, as well as creating two big chances as a marker of his creative prowess.

In addition to having experience working with Ten Hag, the latter player seems to be much more at ease when in possession, averaging 8.74 progressive passes and 2.49 progressive carries per game, respectively, according to FBref, as opposed to the former Leicester City player’s 3.33 and 0.78 averages for those same two metrics.

That should suggest that adding Timber to the mix might just be the Maguire boost the Carabao Cup winners need.