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Football

23rd Mar 2018

Ronald Koeman has spoken to Dutch star about potential Manchester United move

Jose Mourinho won't thank him for this

Darragh Murphy

Ronald Koeman has advised Justin Kluivert against moving to a high-profile club like Manchester United right now.

United are reportedly interested in the Ajax youngster, who is the son of Dutch legend Patrick Kluivert, but Netherlands manager Koeman has recommended that the 18-year-old stay put.

This season Kluivert has nailed down a starting place for his club, scoring several crackers for Ajax in recent months, and his performances saw him called up to the Netherlands squad for the upcoming friendlies against England and Portugal.

After joining up with his international teammates, Kluivert was pulled to one side by Koeman and was given some words of advice regarding his next career move.

“I spoke to him about this,” Koeman said. “He’s in talks with Ajax about his contract.

“I think the best is for him stay in Holland because he’s only 18.”

Reports emerged before Christmas that United manager Jose Mourinho had added Kluivert to his summer transfer wishlist.

The rumour mill went into overdrive in the aftermath of last season’s Europa League final, when Mourinho made sure to speak to Kluivert after the Red Devils claimed a 2-0 victory over Ajax.

It was suggested that Mourinho had declared an interest in the young winger on the Friends Arena pitch last May but Kluivert revealed that the pair had simply exchanged pleasantries after the game.

“He said it was nice to see me again after such a long time, because he had known me when I was a baby,” Kluivert told FourFourTwo. “And he said it was nice to see that I was doing well.

“My highlight has been the Europa League final, even though I didn’t play [from the start]. Such an occasion is unique and to be there was so special. You won’t experience that often.”