Henrik Larsson
Still logged in at RAWK (help!)
Yes, Timber actually said that in an interview recently! I really wish people would understand it, but I guess that doesn't suit a narrative they have in their head.
People are just so gullible, what actually happened is simple: a stupid journalist of the Telegraaf, a paper Van Gaal has long standing conflicts with, created the rumour about him telling Timber not to go to Manchester United or we would be out of the Dutch NT.
What happened in reality is that Van Gaal and Timber discussed a move, Van Gaal felt a change right before the World Cup isn't ideal but also felt Timber would get minutes at United, more so given who's the coach here. But Timber realised he's competing with Van Dijk, De Ligt, De Vrij, then there's guys like Aké at City and Blind and a few others who are options for a CB spot. So he felt it was best for his development and chances of making the Dutch NT by staying at Ajax, because he's young, they play Champions League and there will be plenty of things for him to learn this season.
Fact that Malacia came here right before the World Cup should've killed the nonsense but somehow it didn't.