Sports presenter Jeff Stelling has backed Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite to snub a transfer to Manchester City in favour of joining Manchester United.
Branthwaite is a name at the top of United’s wishlist ahead of the summer transfer window.
The centre-back position is an area of the pitch United are keen to urgently reinforce. There are uncertainties over the future of most of the defenders currently on the club’s payroll.
Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans’ respective contracts are set to expire at the end of the season and unless they can agree fresh terms with United, both will leave Old Trafford as free agents.
Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire could also be sold in the event that United receive enticing offers.
United have been linked to multiple defenders but it seems that Branthwaite is INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s outstanding pick to come in and slot into Erik ten Hag’s backline.
Earlier this month, it was relayed that the 20-time English champions would need to part with a fee in the region of £80 million to secure the England international’s services.
