Manchester United are set to be busy in the summer transfer window. One player that is heavily linked is Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.
The English centre-back has taken the Premier League by storm this season. He has been integral to Everton staying up and also was a part of the side that kept the second most clean sheets in the entirety of England’s top flight.
This is why, he now has a hefty price tag. It’s said that the Toffees are looking for around £40m for his signature. Which, in the grand scheme of things, isn’t exactly breaking the bank – given some of United’s previous purchases.
He’d be a fabulous addition to the Manchester United first-team squad. TalkSport pundit Tony Cascarino agrees.
Tony Cascarino on Jarrad Branthwaite amid Manchester United interest
Manchester United need a centre-back, and there are few better out there than the Everton man. Despite not making Gareth Southgate’s England Euro 2024 squad, the 21-year-old still has a massive future ahead of him.
Cascarino spoke on TalkSport on Sunday morning [8:12 AM] about the Manchester United target, and had high praise for the Englishman.
“Huge stature again, physical, he had a standout season, he really did at Everton. I thought his partnership with [James] Tarkowski at times was really, really good. He grew over the season as a player and in his performances. And the low of him being sort of let go from the England squad, the high is that he could have a move to Manchester United. So, obviously, they think a hell of a lot of him.”
He was extremely solid and was really a poor Everton side under Sean Dyche. A move to Old Trafford could see him flourish further as a player. It could also affect some other players at United.
Jarrad Branthwaite to impact Lisandro Martinez at Manchester United?
The signing of Branthwaite would naturally mean a centre-back is to drop out of the running for the starting XI, with the likely option being Harry Maguire shunned, that is if Lisandro Martinez is fit. Cascarino agrees.
He told TalkSport: “If you said to me between the two [Maguire and Branthwaite], because obviously both are 6ft 4in, 6ft 5in players, he is quick. He is a lot quicker, and I think that’s the standout feature. If you look alongside Martinez, who’s, you know, if he is fit, he is one hell of a player for Manchester United.
“If he is up alongside a lad that’s really good aerially, dominant in the air as well, Branthwaite, he is good at set pieces, attacking and defending. I think you are just getting someone who is a bit quicker. Obviously, Ten Hag or whoever is there during summer and next season need a bit more extra pace at the heart of their defence.”
The only troubling thing about this partnership is that they’d both be left-footers. Erik ten Hag likes a left and a right-footed centre-half, so it would be strange to see the young England international and the Butcher deployed together.
Nevertheless, two class players, who could form a formidable partnership. Would you take Branthwaite at Manchester United?