Manchester United continue to be linked with new signings and may have actually received something of a boost from rivals Manchester City.
City and United locked horns in the FA Cup final on Saturday afternoon with Erik ten Hag getting the better of Pep Guardiola.
Few were giving United a chance of victory at Wembley Stadium, but we saw an inspired performance from Ten Hag’s side.
United produced arguably the display of the season, beating City 2-1 to lift the FA Cup for the 13th time.
The attention now turns to the summer with manager Ten Hag fighting to prove to Ineos that he still deserves to be in the Old Trafford dugout.
Ineos may look to bring in a new manager of their own and that just forms a mere fraction of their plans.
United need real reinforcements throughout the squad but we would anticipate centre back being an absolute priority.
Manchester United receive Jarrad Branthwaite boost
United saw Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez produce superb displays against City but that presents its own problems.
Varane won’t play for United again as his contract expires this summer whilst Martinez has simply been too injury-prone this season.
United need a dependable centre back for the long term and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is a name which just won’t go away.
The Everton star has enjoyed a superb campaign and could feature for England at Euro 2024.
A natural left footer, Branthwaite is a huge presence at 6ft 5in tall and has really taken his game to another level under Sean Dyche.
Recent reports indicated that United are ready to offer £55million for Branthwaite or maybe even throw a player into a part-exchange deal.
Sky Sports now back up that United are keen to sign Branthwaite this summer – but there are a couple of boosts included.
It’s noted that Tottenham Hotspur wanted Branthwaite in January but instead signed Radu Dragusin from Genoa.
Spurs splashing huge money on another centre back just doesn’t seem likely this summer, even if they are interested in adding another defender.
Additionally, Manchester City want Branthwaite but would only move for him if one of their centre backs leave this summer.
That is thought to be unlikely as things stand, meaning Branthwaite may not be the absolute priority for City this summer.
That could give United a real window of opportunity to strike for Branthwaite, with other suitors potentially not quite as interested as United.
Branthwaite – hailed as ‘pretty special’ by Jamie Carragher – fits into the focus on homegrown talent Ineos want and could yet be joined at Old Trafford by Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise.
United plan for Branthwaite
We have wondered just how United would plan to use Branthwaite.
United certainly need another left-footed centre back given Martinez’s injuries, but splashing a huge fee on one seemed like a surprise.
The Guardian now claim that United plan to use Branthwaite alongside Martinez, pairing them together in the heart of the back line.
Fans are accustomed to seeing two right-footed centre backs together but two left-footers is much less common.
United clearly feel that there will be no problems and are ready to press ahead with a big-money move for Branthwaite.
Everton’s financial woes may work in United’s favour, as whilst they want up to £70million, they do need to make sales fairly quickly.
United may put cash and players on the table for Branthwaite and then hopefully see plenty of him and Martinez together in the years to come.