Jurrien Timber is the answer to Man Utd’s prayers at CB… and RB… and CM

Sorting out Manchester United's issues at the back will undoubtedly be one of Erik ten Hag's priorities when he takes over from Ralf Rangnick at Old Trafford.

Doing so won't be easy by any means, with the side lacking a top-class player on the right and in the centre of the backline, as well as a first-rate defensive midfielder to protect that backline.

If rumours are to be believed, though, Ten Hag's first move could well be bringing Jurrien Timber with him from Ajax. It would be a smart one.

The young Dutchman is the player the Old Trafford faithful have been crying out for. And not just at centre-back, but in all three positions.

Since breaking through at Ajax, Timber has more often than not been deployed as a central defender, and that would most likely be the primary role Ten Hag would bring him in to play.

Absolutely crucial in Ten Hag's teams are ball-playing defenders, and with Timber's technical abilities typical of an Ajax product, the 20-year-old is an upgrade on most of the current options in that department.

Harry Maguire is good with the ball at his feet himself, but the same can't really be said for those that have played alongside him this season.

Maguire, meanwhile, is prone to the odd error (to say the least) and such errors often stem from a lack of composure and pace.

These aren't attributes that Timber lacks. He rarely loses the ball or gets caught out of position, and if he does, he's almost always quick enough to recover.

To be fair to Maguire and co though, their jobs have been made considerably harder by the lack of protection from the midfield, and this is another way in which Timber could improve the side.

It's no coincidence that every top team has a top holding midfielder. Manchester City have Rodri, Liverpool have Fabinho, Real Madrid have Casemiro. Manchester United have no one of similar stature.

Nemanja Matic is the only player that naturally plays there, and he's leaving in the summer. Every other midfielder is too attack-minded.

Naturally a defender, Timber doesn't have this problem, and it's not the only reason he'd be an ideal No.6 for the side. He's intelligent on and off the ball, he's comfortable in tight spaces, he can pick a pass and can stick a foot in.

With a bit of experience in the position, he could become the player the Red Devils have lacked since Michael Carrick called it a day.

If Ten Hag wants to utilise his attacking abilities more, he could also stick Timber at right-back, because the side are sorely lacking creativity there.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is a very good defender, but more is required from a full-back these days. How good they are going forward is just as important as how good they are at the back.

In this area, Wan-Bissaka simply isn't up to scratch and has frustrated fans countless times with his passing and crossing. The numbers say it all; in 19 Premier League games, he has no assists and has created just one big chance.

Right-back is a position Timber has played on more than one occasion this season and looking at the runs and passes he makes from centre-back, there’s little doubt the young Dutchman would offer the team far more than Wan-Bissaka in this regard.

Timber scored 3 goals and made 1 assist in 39 games for Ajax.