Manchester United have added Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite to their centre-back shortlist for the January transfer window, as per Mail Sport.
The 21-year-old joins Antonio Silva, Edmond Tapsoba and Jean-Clair Todibo as potential options that the Red Devils could pursue in the winter, as the club looks to bolster Erik ten Hag’s backline.
It comes amid an ongoing injury crisis at Old Trafford that has seen 16 players miss games due to fitness issues or illness. Lisandro Martinez is the latest long-term absentee, as the metatarsal fracture that ended his 2022/2023 campaign prematurely was re-aggravated in the opening fixtures of the season.
Jonny Evans, 35, signed a one-year contract in the summer, though it was believed at the time that he was unlikely to be given a starting role. However, players’ unavailability meant that he started a Premier League match away to Burnley last month, and has made two more appearances off the bench.
United keeping tabs on Everton starlet
Branthwaite impressed during his season-long loan spell to PSV last term, where he worked under United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy. Manchester City are also interested, so the Toffees are actively trying to tie the youngster down to a new contract.