Manchester United Urged to Secure Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite
Manchester United’s failure to bolster their central defense is beginning to take its toll, and their future plans to reinforce the position face a potential setback.
According to The Peoples Person, Everton is reportedly preparing a new contract for Jarrad Branthwaite, a player that United has been eyeing, to acknowledge his stellar performances this season.
Standing tall at 6’5″, Branthwaite, who spent the previous season on loan at PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie, returned to Everton this summer and swiftly established himself as a vital cog in Sean Dyche’s defense.
With five appearances and 71% of available minutes under his belt, Branthwaite has showcased traditional defensive prowess while exhibiting the ball-playing finesse required at the highest level.
United’s interest in the young talent is not a recent development, with previous links to the Carlisle-born center-back having gone unrealized. Even after his stint with PSV, the Dutch side aimed to secure him permanently but were rebuffed by Everton.
United, meanwhile, has been monitoring Branthwaite as his contract with Everton runs until 2025. However, the time to act is now, and here’s why:
The Complete Package:
Branthwaite’s footballing education has been remarkably comprehensive, making him the ideal defensive prospect. His towering 6’5″ frame harks back to the classic English center-back of yesteryears, rendering him a formidable aerial presence.
He relishes the art of old-school defending and thrives on the challenge of keeping the opposition from scoring. What’s more, at just 21, he has earned the trust of Sean Dyche, a manager known for his defensive acumen.
Branthwaite’s ability to play the ball was honed during his loan spell at PSV Eindhoven last year, where he thrived in a progressive team. This experience significantly improved his ball-playing skills, making him a threat with the ball at his feet.
While he may not be a long-range passer like Lisandro Martinez, his rapid development in this aspect of the game bodes well for his future potential.
United’s center-back options currently come with asterisks. Raphael Varane requires careful management of his workload, Lisandro Martinez hasn’t looked fully fit since his foot injury, Harry Maguire’s future is uncertain, Victor Lindelof’s physicality is in question, and Jonny Evans is 35.
In this context, Branthwaite offers the best of both worlds. He is young enough to serve as an understudy to the likes of Varane and company, while also combining Maguire’s physicality with Varane’s ball-playing potential.
At 21, Branthwaite is poised to hit his peak just as Varane, Maguire, and Lindelof may be on the decline. His strong personality hints at future captain material for any club he joins.
Branthwaite represents the type of astute long-term signing that intelligent clubs often make, addressing needs before they become glaring gaps. United must act swiftly, as once he signs a new contract, the opportunity may slip through their fingers.