Patrick Kluivert claims son Justin did the right thing by snubbing Man United

Sport360 staff 21:19 22/08/2018
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  • Justin Kluivert was reportedly a target for Jose Mourinho at Man United.

    Patrick Kluivert claims son Justin did the right thing by joining Roma this summer, saying a move to Premier League giants Manchester United would have been “too big a jump” for the talented teenager.

    Kluivert Jr, 19, had looked set to head for England but instead the forward opted to move to Italy after two years at his father’s former side Ajax.

    And Dutch legend Kluivert hopes his son can follow in his illustrious footsteps one day.

    “He must travel miles to get to where I did, but he’s shown talent, plus he has the character and time to have a great career,” Kluivert Snr told Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday.

    “I think United would have been too big a jump. Roma are an important club but the pressures are less.

    “Roma don’t have to win at any cost and it is a club that is used to good football. It is the ideal place for Justin right now.”

    Justin Kluivert joined Roma this summer.

    Justin Kluivert joined Roma this summer.

    The former Ajax, AC Milan and Barcelona striker, 42, will have been pleased with his son’s impact in Serie A, Justin making an immediate impact with his cross setting up Edin Dzeko for the match winner in the opening league game against Torino last weekend.

    “I want to see him win with Roma and I want to see him happy,” added Kluivert of Justin, who has signed until 2023 with the side from the Eternal City, who finished third in Serie A last season.

    “I’m very satisfied with what he’s doing. He doesn’t talk much, but he’s someone who knows how to listen and is motivated. I wanted him to stay at Ajax for another year, but he made his choice.

    “Then, who doesn’t dream of Barcelona? But Italian football is catching up and Justin can take advantage of it.”

    Kluivert Snr earned 79 caps for the Netherlands before retiring in 2004, and is now the assistant Cameroon coach, under former Ajax and Netherlands colleague Clarence Seedorf.

    Kluivert Jr made 30 league appearances for Ajax last season, scoring 10 goals, and earned his first call-up to the Dutch national team in March.

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