Ian Wright has been left very impressed by a player Manchester United have been heavily linked with in recent weeks.
The transfer window is still many months away but Manchester United will be preparing their recruitment plans ahead of a crucial summer.
It will be the first transfer window in the new era after Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos Group recently took control of football operations at Old Trafford.
The club will undoubtedly be aiming to improve the squad after a disappointing season, though it remains to be seen if Erik ten Hag will be in charge or not.
One player United have already been heavily linked with is Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.
The centre-back has been named in the England squad for the first time and Arsenal legend Ian Wright would start him for the Three Lions over Harry Maguire.
READ MORE: Manchester United transfer history 2013 to present day
Ian Wright praises United target Jarrad Branthwaite
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Wright said: “Jarrad Branthwaite with Everton, you watch him this season, you think he’s good.
“Pace? Oh, brilliant. Reading of the game? Fantastic. Attacking the ball? brilliant in both boxes. Passing out.
“You think surely they’re looking at him.
“To see him in there as well, with that kind of pace, next to John Stones who is having an unbelievable season himself, you’re starting to look at it, down the spine of our team is pretty strong.”
Why United need to sign another centre-back in the transfer window
You’d be forgiven for wondering if United would be better served spending their limited funds on other positions rather than yet another centre-back.
Over £70m has been spent on Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane alone in recent years but even more reinforcements are needed.
Injuries have savaged United this season and the loss of Martinez has been particularly detrimental, with Ten Hag unable to implement his ideal style of football without the ball-playing Argentine.
Varane, Maguire and Victor Lindelof have all had injury problems too, meaning 36-year-old Jonny Evans has had to play far more than expected.
United need more depth in defence and Branthwaite looks like he would suit perfectly.