Manchester United aiming to secure cut-price deal for Jarrad Branthwaite before June 30 | OneFootball

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has had to constantly reshuffle his backline due to mounting injuries and the current back four has something of a placeholder look about it.

Four of his senior centre-backs all remain sidelined and are unlikely to be fit for the upcoming game against 19th placed Burnley on Saturday.

Academy graduate Willy Kambwala also dropped out and in the last two games, defensive midfielder Casemiro has accompanied Harry Maguire at the heart of the defence.

United have conceded five times in their last two games with the duo at the back, three against Championship side Coventry City and two against Premier League bottom club Sheffield United.

United’s planned defensive overhaul

With new co-owners open to allowing Raphael Varane to leave on a free, Jonny Evans’ deal coming to an end and with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof both attracting plenty of interest, United need an elite defender in the summer.

Their top priority remains Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton, who fits INEOS’ vision of signing young British players with Premier League experience.

With the Toffees under increasing financial pressure, they will likely have to sell their top stars before June 30 in order to balance the books.

As relayed by The Peoples Person recently, United are willing to agree an early deal for the centre-back should the team from Merseyside be willing to reduce their asking price from the earlier indicated ludicrous £100 million.

As per Football Insider, the Red Devils are now confident of agreeing a deal for the 21-year-old for £60-70 million before June ends.

This would mean the player would be in Manchester before pre-season starts, something that has not often transpired during the Glazers regime.

“Man United are confident a bid of between £60-70 million will be enough to land Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, sources have told Football Insider.

“It is believed the 21-year-old could be sold by Everton before 30 June to include his fee in their accounts for the 2023-24 campaign and avoid further points deductions.

“The Toffees are desperate to keep the centre-back but are likely to cash in to attempt to avoid a further brush with the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).”

United confident of agreeing Branthwaite deal

The 21-year-old has looked wobbly at times, but that is expected considering his age and the difficult season that Sean Dyche’s men have endured.

Branthwaite is good on the ball and is two-footed, which can be a huge help, and is in the top three percent among Premier League defenders for duels won, interceptions and recoveries (via Fotmob).

New technical director Jason Wilcox is a fan, and the defender also got a ringing endorsement from former United great Ruud van Nistelrooy during his loan spell in the Netherlands.

Manchester City, Chelsea, and even Real Madrid were interested in the Carlisle-born star and INEOS agreeing an early deal would send out a powerful message to the footballing world that they mean business.

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