Manchester United are operating quickly in the summer transfer window this year, with INEOS looking to tie up deals for many of their top targets before the Red Devils travel to the United States for their pre-season tour in July.
United have already officially announced the signing of Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, while a move for French defender Leny Yoro has accelerated over the last 24 hours, with a medical booked before the end of the week.
🚨🔴 Leny Yoro to Manchester United, here we go! Deal in place after first part of medical completed.
More tests to follow then he’s ready to sign five year deal valid until June 2029.
Lille and Man United have all documents set for deal worth €50m plus several add-ons. pic.twitter.com/8Ziwb2JKNj
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 17, 2024
However, reports have indicated that United could look to bring in a second central defender this summer if they are able to offload one of Harry Maguire or Victor Lindelof.
A long-term target for the Red Devils is Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite, but why are the Red Devils so keen to get a deal over the line for the English defender?
| Name | Jarrad Branthwaite |
| Date of Birth | 27 June 2002 (22 y/o) |
| Position | Centre-back |
| Height | 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) |
| Current Club | Everton (contract until June 2027) |
| Former Clubs | Carlisle United, Blackburn Rovers, PSV |
| Transfer Value | €42M |
| National Team | England, 1 cap |
Branthwaite’s Journey To The Top
Branthwaite is widely regarded as one of the most exciting young English central defenders after enjoying an excellent breakthrough season with Everton in the 2023-24 season.
The 22-year-old came through the ranks at his hometown club of Carlisle, but he made just nine first-team appearances before being snapped up by the Toffees on a two-and-a-half-year deal in June 2022.
🚨 | #mufc maintain admiration for Matthijs de Ligt and Jarrad Branthwaite, although a further arrival is likely to depend on departures to create finance and squad space. [@David_Ornstein] pic.twitter.com/dVDYc8fj3Q
— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) July 17, 2024
The defender was quickly sent out on loan to Blackburn in January 2021, playing ten times in the second tier before picking up an injury. After returning to Goodison Park, he was handed a first team appearance in July against Wolves, before making his Premier League debut against Sheffield United later in the same month.
Breakthrough Season
Branthwaite was already drawing comparisons to former Everton defender John Stones after starring from the bench on a number of occasions, but his big breakthrough for the Toffees would come in the 2023-24 season.
Despite starting the campaign on the bench, he would force his way into the starting eleven before the end of August.
Let’s get a few things straight here.
Manchester United twice bid for Jarrad Branthwaite £35m + £5m and £45m + £5m. Everton told United the price was £70m and nothing less.
United then bid €50m + add ons for Leny Yoro because they simply cannot afford to buy the generational… https://t.co/YXyEs1EygL
— Lea (@Lea_EFC) July 17, 2024
The central defender would form a strong partnership with James Tarkowski throughout the season, ensuring that Everton would enjoy one of the best defensive records in the Premier League. That structure would give the club the backbone that was required to secure their top-flight status, despite a number of points deductions.
His influence on the team throughout the campaign was apparent to fans, and that led to him being named as Everton’s Players’ Player of the Season and the Supporters’ Young Player of the Season.
United Keen To Snap Up Promising Talent
There has been clearly a tactic from United this summer to sign the best young and emerging talents in Europe, which has already been apparent in their pursuits of Yoro and Zirkzee. Branthwaite very much fits that same profile, and the Red Devils may see a £60 million deal as good value for the Englishman, given that his price tag could rise next summer.
6 foot 5 unit of a CB who defends his box very well but also has the speed to defend wide areas well. Jarrad Branthwaite comes away from Anfield with immense credit for his performance. Bright future. pic.twitter.com/kyTCFhv5SR
— Premier League Panel (@PremLeaguePanel) October 21, 2023
The Everton star already has proven experience in the Premier League and was handed a first international appearance in England’s final EURO warm-up match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
However, Branthwaite would eventually miss out on the squad for the EUROs, leading to questions surrounding Southgate’s decision by fans, who believed that the 22-year-old should have been included after an excellent season for the Toffees.
Where Would He Fit In?
United’s determination to bring in two central defenders this summer is largely to give Erik ten Hag some flexibility when making his decisions for the upcoming campaign.
Yoro and Lisandro Martinez will likely be the preferred options, but Branthwaite could enable United to play with a reliable back three in bigger matches throughout the season.
JARRAD BRANTHWAITE TACTICAL ANALYSIS🔵🔥
A detailed deep dive on the Everton CB who is destined for the top pic.twitter.com/2UdWSoz8UJ
— EverydayMUFC2 (@EverydayMUFC22) January 22, 2024
It would also add greater competition for positions in the heart of the defence. Furthermore, it would cover potential injuries throughout the season, which was a major reason for United’s issues throughout 2023-24, as ten Hag needed to field over 20 different partnerships in central defence.
