Branthwaite has been a regular in Sean Dyche’s starting XI (Picture: Getty)
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is among the targets Manchester United are considering for the January transfer window.
United were in the marker for another centre-half in the summer transfer window but Harry Maguire’s decision to reject a £30million move to West Ham left them unable to bring in another option.
United have endured a disastrous start to the new season having lost four of their seven Premier League games, shipping 11 goals in that process.
Injuries have played their part with Raphael Varane returning to the side last week after another layoff with all three of their left-back options unavailable, along with right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
United will be without Lisandro Martinez for three months with the Argentina international undergoing a second surgery this year to address a foot injury he suffered in April.
United are monitoring a number of potential additions at the back including Nice star Jean-Clair Tobido and Antonio Silva of Benfica.
According to the Daily Mail, Everton starlet Branthwaite is another option on their radar.
Branthwaite spent last season on loan in Netherlands (Picture: Getty)
The 21-year-old, who has started the Toffees’ last six games, spent last season on loan at PSV Eindhoven playing under United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy, a regular in his starting XI.
The England Under-21 international is in talks with Everton over a new contract but that is unlikely to deter interest from Old Trafford.
Manchester City are also among the English clubs monitoring him.
Branthwaite has established himself as a key player in Sean Dyche’s starting XI but takeover plans and financial uncertainty at Goodison Park could complicate his long-term future.
‘He’s got a long-term deal at the moment, he’s settled, playing, going nicely,’ Dyche said of the defender last week.
‘He’s another young player. He went out for a season abroad last season and done well. He’s getting sharper, seeing the picture better but still not over-coaching for sure, he’s going along nicely and continues to grow as he is doing.’
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