David Moyes and Ruben Amorimplaceholder image
David Moyes and Ruben Amorim | Getty Images
Manchester United and Everton will be able to bring in some new players when the January transfer window opens up for business
Manchester United have seen an upturn in form over recent weeks to ease pressure off head coach Ruben Amorim. They are unbeaten in their last four games and are starting to build their confidence back up. The Red Devils find themselves positioned in 8th place in the Premier League table after their first 10 fixtures and they are only one point off the top four.
The North West giants will get the opportunity to bring in some new faces in the January transfer window. They were busy on the recruitment front this past summer. The likes of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo arrived at Old Trafford, among others.
Manchester United eye Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite
United have been long-term admirers of Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and will get the chance to try again for him this winter. According to CaughtOffside, they are keen on the £70million-rated centre-back and their interest in him hasn’t gone away. However, they may face some competition from rivals Tottenham Hotspur in pursuit of his signature.
Branthwaite, 22, would be ideal for the Red Devils and would seriously bolster their back line as they look to get themselves back in Europe as soon as possible. He is young, has potential to develop down the line and would be a perfect long-term option at the back for Amorim. The Cumbria-born man could help tighten things up at the back and is a lot younger than Harry Maguire.
The England international, who has one cap to his name, is under contract at the Hill Dickinson Stadium until 2030 meaning the Toffees are under no pressure to sell him anytime soon and can wait for the right amount of money before they consider cashing in. He joined the Toffees back in 2020 after rising up through the ranks at Carlisle United and has since made 86 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals. He has also had loan spells away at Blackburn Rovers and PSV to get some experience under his belt and boost his development.
Manchester United should propose Joshua Zirkzee swap deal to Evertona
United may need to think outside the box in their pursuit of Everton star Branthwaite. With that in mind, they should consider giving David Moyes’ side a player in return plus cash. One individual who would fit the bill for his arrangement would be striker Joshua Zirkzee.
He has fallen down the pecking order behind the likes of Cunha and Sesko and his game time has significantly dried up. Therefore, an exit in a couple of months time isn’t beyond the realms of possibility. He hasn’t been able to make the impact he would have wanted to in England so far and a change of scene to the Toffees would help him get his career back on track.
The Dutchman would get plenty of game time under Moyes which is what he needs right now. Everton are lacking that cutting edge at the top end of the pitch and Beto and Thierno Barry haven’t been able to find their shooting boots this term. Therefore, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Merseyside outfit hunt for a new forward to help change their fortunes.
Zirkzee’s reputation has taken a bit of a hit at United since his transfer from Bologna. Prior to his switch to this country, he caught the eye in Serie A and was tipped for bright things in Italy. The ex-Bayern Munich man hasn’t lived up to the hype though and needs a manager like Moyes to put his arm over his shoulder and help him find some form.
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