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This week reports have started to emerge that Manchester United are still keen to sign Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton.
United were desperate to acquire the services of the young centre back last summer, but the Toffees’ insistence on a fee in excess of £70 million for the player proved to be an insurmountable stumbling block, and Matthijs de Ligt was signed for £42 million instead.
However, Branthwaite has not signed a new deal at Everton and with his contract expiring in 2027, this summer will be the last in which Everton can hope to get decent money for him.
The perfect centre back signing
It is easy to see why INEOS are keen on a deal. The fact that the 22 year old is two-footed would be a huge plus, he is homegrown and his extensive Premier League experience at such a young age makes him the perfect profile for Ruben Amorim’s revolution.
Although Branthwaite agreed personal terms with United last summer, his desire for Champions League football could be an issue this time around unless Amorim’s men win the Europa League. In addition, Everton are still playing hard ball over the fee, with INEOS believing they could get a deal over the line at £50 million this time around.
A question of priorities
That being said, unless some miracle were to happen to resolve United’s financial situation, investing even £50 million in the England man would be a huge mistake this summer.
Regardless of whether or not he is a world class defender – an issue that is, in itself, much debated – the simple fact is that centre back is surely now the lowest priority in terms of positions to be strengthened at Old Trafford.
Even though Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans are likely to leave at the end of the season, and even though three centre backs are required in Amorim’s system, there is still plenty of strength in depth compared to other areas.
De Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro and Heaven are all specialist centre backs, while Luke Shaw, Noussair Mazraoui and even Casemiro (if he stays at the club) are capable backups. There are also other academy stars close to making the step up, including England U18 international Tyler Fredricson.
Essentially, there will be two Premier League standard players for each position.
Compare that with wing backs. Two wing backs are needed in the starting XI, yet only Patrick Dorgu is a specialist in the role. Diogo Dalot, Amad and Mazraoui have all tried to fill in, but none of them look a natural, with Dalot and Mazraoui not gifted enough in attack and Amad not natural enough in defence. At least one wing back, arguably two, must be a higher priority than a centre back.
United are also light in central midfield. Christian Eriksen is expected to leave the club and Casemiro, too, could be on his way. This leaves Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo and Toby Collyer as the only specialists, with Bruno Fernandes also considered by Amorim to be an eight.
Clearly, even with young talent coming through, at least one more six and one more eight will be required in the summer.
In terms of support forwards (or twin 10s), it is likely that Marcus Rashford and Antony will be sold and reports suggest Alejandro Garnacho will also leave. With Fernandes more likely deployed in midfield, this leaves Mason Mount, Josh Zirkzee and Amad as potentially the only options. Again, one, ideally two, incoming players will be required, assuming all of the above.
It hardly needs stating that a new striker is needed. Even if Rasmus Hojlund finds some consistent form, he can’t carry the load alone and at 17, Chido Obi needs to be handled carefully. A world-class striker or someone very close to that level is a must, and will likely take a big chunk of the transfer budget.
United’s need for a top goalkeeper is also probably greater than that of a centre back. Andre Onana’s form since joining the club has been erratic to say the least. INEOS could and perhaps should be looking to replace him with a more reliable pair of hands. Altay Bayindir briefly looked as if he could step up, with a sensational performance against Arsenal in the FA Cup, but a badly timed injury has left the issue unresolved.
The waiting game
All this leaves Branthwaite a low priority, for now at least. However, Harry Maguire’s deal will expire in the summer of 2026 and a replacement may then be needed.
Everton’s greed with regard to the transfer fee could play to United’s advantage in that respect. If they are stubborn and do not sell Branthwaite to anyone else this summer, then by the January 2026 window he will only have 18 months left on his contract and Maguire will only have six months left on his.
At that stage, a deal somewhere in the region of £40m could be struck, potentially dropping even further in summer 2026.
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