Manchester United make Portuguese centre-back a back-up option Should Jurrien Timber decide to remain at Ajax

Manchester United are closely monitoring Ajax defender Jurrien Timber as their priority in the summer transfer window but Erik ten Hag have eyes on Braga’s centre-back David Carmo as an alternative despite the Dutch being the preferred choice to bolster the club’s leaky backline.

Manchester United are in the market for defensive reinforcements as they look to improve the squad following their worst ever Premier League campaign last season.

Harry Maguire had a disastrous season which has seen fans go mad on social media and questioning his captaincy, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof on the otherhand struggled while Phil Jones, Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe are expected to depart from the club this summer.

Erik Ten Hag has made the 20 year old Jurrien Timber his preferred option, a versatile Dutch defender who operate at both centre-back and right full-back.

A positions the new boss want to strengthen before the start of the new season.

The addition of Timber could spell the end for former Crystal Palace star Aaron Wan Bissaka after just three years at Old Trafford following a £50 million move.

However, The Dutch defender appeared coy on his future when asked about a move away from Ajax if he is assured of game time while on international duty.

“In the end, my gut feeling will be the deciding factor,” Timber said.

“The picture has to be right. You can go to a big club. But if you’re not going to play there it’s better to stay with Ajax.”

“And Ajax is also a big club. We play football in the Champions League and I play there together with the best players in the Netherlands. That is not nothing.”

“Of course, I can develop further [at Ajax]. I am 100 per cent sure of that. I don’t feel like I’m done at the club. But I can also develop at other clubs.”

“I am now focusing on the upcoming international matches and then go on holiday. Then I’ll have to think about it some more.”

United may be forced to turn their attention to David Carmo who is viewed as a back-up option Should Timber decide to remain with Dutch side.

It’s understood that United have also held talks with the left-footed Portuguese centre-back’s representatives.

The 22-year-old centre-back was a transfer target for Liverpool last season and nearly made the switch to Anfield during the clubs defensive injury crisis before the deal eventually collapsed.

The Portuguese Centre-back missed alot of games for his side last season due to an ankle injury but he still made 19 appearances and earned his first call-up to the Portugal squad for the current round of Nations League fixtures.

The Braga defender helped his side to a fourth-placed finish in the Portuguese top flight and qualification for next season’s Europa League.

The Dutch defender Jurrien Timber sits at the top of Ten Hag’s shopping list with the club keeping tabs on Villarreal’s highly-rated defender Pau Torres as the new boss getting to work on bolstering United’s defence ahead of his first season.