Manchester United have ended their pursuit of Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite
Manchester United are setting their sights on the upcoming summer transfer window to fix the glaring flaws that plagued them throughout what has been a disastrous season. With Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelöf both out of contract at the end of the campaign, there’s an urgent need to reinforce the central defensive unit, not just to improve quality, but also to ensure depth in a position that has been far too unstable.
According to Fichajes, United have shown strong interest in signing Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and were even prepared to table a €50 million bid to bring the highly-rated centre-back to Old Trafford. However, The Daily Mail has since reported that the Red Devils are no longer pursuing the defender, casting doubt over whether Branthwaite will be part of United’s summer rebuild. This conflicting news suggests either a cooling of interest or a potential shift in strategy as the club explores alternative defensive options.
Manchester United are no longer interested in Jarrad Branthwaite
Jarrad Branthwaite is a towering centre-back who is quietly making waves. At 6’5”, he is a beast in the air, dominating aerial duels with a cool, commanding presence. But the Everton man is more than just height, his left foot brings finesse, pinging precise passes out from the back like a midfielder. Quick for his size, he recovers fast, snuffing out danger with sharp positioning and tidy tackling.
Manchester United have ended their pursuit of Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite.
Manchester United are no longer interested in Jarrad Branthwaite (Via X)
Branthwaite’s time at Jong PSV sharpened his composure on the ball, and at just 22, he’s already a rock for Everton. Calm, versatile, and proactive, the Englishman has got the makings of a top-tier defender. Branthwaite has conceded 19 goals and kept 7 clean sheets in 22 matches in the Premier League 2024/2025 season.
That means when he is on the pitch, his team concedes a goal every 95 minutes. Moreover, he has made 1.63 tackles and 1.15 interceptions for every 90 minutes he was on the pitch.
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Manchester United fans have every reason to be surprised if the club have cooled their interest in Jarrad Branthwaite. The 6’5” Everton defender is a physical presence, dominant in the air, composed on the ball, and only 22 years old. With United’s backline looking shaky all season, Branthwaite alongside Lisandro Martinez would have been a dream partnership: one with balance, youth, and Premier League experience.
Of course, if the asking price is over the top or Everton simply refuse to negotiate, then there’s some understanding, United’s budget needs to stretch across multiple areas. But even then, it feels like a missed opportunity for a long-term solution.
With Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelöf potentially departing, and Martinez struggling with recurring injuries, Rúben Amorim will need reinforcements at centre-back. Branthwaite had the profile to slot in seamlessly and grow into a key figure. Passing up on him may come back to haunt United. After all he looks like the kind of player you build a defence around.