65% duels won: Man Utd should now sign 'complete' £70m star to replace duo, player agreed terms - opinion

Manchester United should pursue a deal for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite with Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof poised to leave this summer.

The Red Devils have had a difficult league campaign, and they are presently 14th in the standings with 38 points from 33 games.

The club have lacked the cutting edge in the final third with just 38 goals scored, and have also been vulnerable in the backline.

A new centre-back could be one of the main priorities for manager Ruben Amorim.

Lindelof and Evans have their contracts expiring on June 30. The former looks poised to leave on a free transfer.

Evans, on the other hand, could call time on his playing career. He could step into a coaching role ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Amorim could urge the hierarchy to pursue a replacement, considering Lisandro Martinez is sidelined after a serious knee injury.

The Argentine underwent surgery in February and may not return to action until late 2025.

In our view, the club should return for Branthwaite, who agreed personal terms over a £150,000-£160,000 per week contract last summer.

A transfer did not materialise due to Everton’s £70 million valuation, but the Red Devils should revive their pursuit of the Englishman.

The 22-year-old has made steady progress over the past couple of years and he is now an undisputed starter for the Toffees.

Branthwaite has won an impressive 65 percent of his duels this term with an average of three recoveries and 6.5 clearances.

He has also caught the eye with his tackling and ball-carrying ability from the left centre-back role.

Branthwaite is predominantly left-footed, but he is equally adept with his right foot.

Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy described him as ‘two-footed’ and ‘very complete’ during his loan stint at PSV Eindhoven.

The only drawback for Branthwaite has been his passing accuracy (82 percent), but that should improve going forward.

Everton have the second-lowest possession in the league at 40.3 percent, and Branthwaite has had to do more defending.

Under Amorim, he would have more possession of the ball (53 percent this campaign). With better players around him, his passing accuracy will undoubtedly improve.

We believe Branthwaite would be a much better acquisition than Sporting CP’s Goncalo Inacio, who may need time to adapt to the higher intensity and physicality of the league.

£70m would represent a huge outlay for Branthwaite, but United should secure a deal, considering the injury record of Martinez since his arrival from Ajax almost three years ago.

The club could raise as much as £175m from selling five first-team stars.

Qualifying for the Champions League by lifting the Europa League title would also provide a substantial financial boost and reduce the need to sanction high-profile departures.

Stats from Sofascore.com & FBref.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .