Man United target Jarrad Branthwaite struggled to make quick impression under Ruud van Nistelrooy | OneFootball

Manchester United are yet to find any breakthrough in their attempts to strengthen Erik ten Hag’s squad this summer.

United have opened discussions to sign Jarrad Branthwaite as well as Joshua Zirkzee so far. While Everton have turned down the Red Devils’ opening bid, Zirkzee’s agent is looking for a substantial commission before deciding the Bologna striker’s fate.

However, the club’s hierarchy have made huge strides in their bid to strengthen Ten Hag’s backroom staff.

Manchester Evening News reports that Go Ahead Eagles manager Rene Hake is set to join Ten Hag’s coaching staff ahead of the new season.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has also been offered a position in the United coaching staff and is understood to be considering the offer to return to Old Trafford.

Interestingly, Van Nistelrooy’s arrival has the potential to impact United’s transfer business.

As the manager of PSV Eindhoven, the former United striker managed Branthwaite, now 22, during the 2022-23 campaign.

The Everton centre-back is now considered one of the most talented young defenders in the Premier League, but he struggled to earn Nistelrooy’s trust from the get-go in the Netherlands.

According to Football Insider, Van Nistelrooy was open to terminating Branthwaite’s loan spell and sending him back to Everton in January 2023, having only handed three starts to the Englishman in the Eredivisie before the winter break.

He struggled to make an impact under Van Nistelrooy initially but the Everton loanee found his feet towards the second half of the season at PSV.

It would be interesting to see which version of Branthwaite influences Van Nistelrooy’s opinion in the event United decide to pick his brains before making an improved bid.

Earlier this month, United submitted a bid just north of £40 million for him but the Merseyside club turned it down as they are holding out for a fee in the region of £70m.

However, it is being reported that the Old Trafford outfit are willing to look for alternatives rather than get closer to Everton’s asking price. One of the names on their radar is Matthijs de Ligt.

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