Man Utd need Jarrad Branthwaite to solve their defensive woes: Red Devils’ summer transfer window likely ins and outs

Some would argue that every area of the pitch is a problem for United. The most pressing position, however, is undoubtedly centre-back. Erik ten Hag was forced to field 15 different pairings at the heart of the defence in 2023-24 due to the team’s plague of injuries, and ended the campaign with a partnership of Jonny Evans and Casemiro, who have a combined age of 68. Raphael Varane will need replacing, but at least one more centre-back should be required due to Lisandro Martinez’s vulnerability to injuries.

Another big area of concern is left-back after Luke Shaw missed much of the season and Tyrell Malacia was absent for the whole campaign after complications from knee surgery, leaving United with no natural left-back for the final three months of the season. Cover for Diogo Dalot at right-back will also be needed after Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s expected departure.

Another striker is also required to share the burden with Rasmus Hojlund, especially with Anthony Martial leaving – although the truth is the French striker checked out long ago. Another defensive midfielder would also be welcome after Casemiro’s remarkable drop-off in form in his second season at Old Trafford.

Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi has been strongly linked with a move to United and the 24-year-old fits the age profile the club’s INEOS overlords will be looking for. Jarrad Branthwaite is another top target for the Red Devils after a superb breakthrough season with Everton. Tosin Adarabioyo has also been linked with United and he would be a more affordable option than Guehi or Branthwaite as his contract with Fulham is about to expire.

Luca Netz of Borussia Monchengladbach has been touted as a left-back signing to cover for Malacia and indeed Shaw. Another low-cost option to improve the squad in that position is Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, who has made a seamless transition from the Eredivisie to the Premier League.

Guehi’s team-mate Michael Olise, who terrorised United in the recent 4-0 thrashing at Selhurst Park, is another reported target, albeit in an area of the pitch where United already have plenty of competition. Potential midfield signings to replace or at the very least deputise for Casemiro include Wolves’ Joao Gomes and Leicester’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy has been mentioned several times among the list of strikers United have looked at. He plundered 28 goals in the Bundesliga this season, only trailing Harry Kane, and is reported to have a £15m ($19m) release clause. Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee is another potential target after impressing for Bologna.

United desperately need a long-term solution at centre-back and Branthwaite would be a fantastic signing. He is one of few accomplished left-footed centre-backs in England and has great awareness defensively as well as being a confident passer.

He is at the ideal stage of his career too, aged 21 and with a stellar season in the top flight under his belt as well as being part of the England squad, but not so experienced that he would be unaffordable.

The centre-back would cost United in the region of £50m ($63m), depending on whether they face competition to sign him from the likes of Chelsea or Manchester City. Everton’s precarious financial situation would give them some room to negotiate and from the player’s point of view, United would be a big step up, as it would allow him to earn experience of European football, too.

Varane and Martial have already confirmed they are departing as their contracts expire in June and and plenty more should be joining them in the queue for the exit door. Evans‘ contract is also due to expire although there is a small possibility it is renewed. The same is true of French forward Omari Forson.

Wan-Bissaka is expected to leave even though he has one year left on his deal; Sofyan Amrabat‘s one-year loan deal is also about to end and there appears to be no great desire to trigger a permanent move for him after an underwhelming season; and Mason Greenwood is also unlikely to return to the club, although it remains to be seen whether he extends his spell at Getafe or get a permanent move elsewhere.

Jadon Sancho will not return to United unless Ten Hag departs, and even if the manager is sacked it seems unlikely that the winger would be welcomed back with open arms by the club after burning his bridges by refusing to apologise to the Dutchman. Sancho’s transfer value has also risen after rediscovering his best form with Borussia Dortmund, although the club would still be likely to make a heavy loss after signing him for £74m ($94m) in 2021.

Christian Eriksen has one year left on his deal and has featured very little in his second season, while Marcus Rashford is one of few players who could generate a big transfer fee and he has tested the club’s patience this year as well as the fans.

There have also been reports of interest from Saudi Arabia in Bruno Fernandes, a transfer which could, at the right price, interest Sir Jim Ratcliffe, despite the player’s importance to the team. Casemiro has had a terrible season and the length of his contract and huge salary has been queried by Ratcliffe, although it will be hard to find a club willing to match his wage demands. The same is true of his compatriot Antony, who scored just one league goal all season and who cost the club an astonishing £85m ($108m) in 2022.

Greenwood could go out on loan again due to the potential toxicity of any club signing him permanently, although that would mean him being able to leave as a free agent in the summer of 2025. A loan move might also be the best solution for Antony, who is unlikely to attract much interest for a permanent move.

Eighteen-year-old forward Ethan Wheatley is a prime candidate for a loan to get more first team football after becoming the club’s 250th academy graduate. That could also be the case for Willy Kambwala, who has shown promise but also demonstrated his inexperience in his few appearances for the first team.

Despite a topsy-turvy season in which he has made a series of clangers, Andre Onana has done enough to warrant another season as United’s No.1. Dalot, meanwhile, was one of the few players who came out of this awful season looking good and should retain his hard-earned starting berth at right-back.

Martinez will get another run at centre-back provided he comes through the Copa America unscathed and avoids more injuries, and Branthwaite would make for a perfect partner for the Argentine. Netz, who has just completed his third season at Borussia Monchengladbach and has just turned 21, would be a bold choice at left-back.

Kobbie Mainoo has had a stunning breakthrough season and will be a guaranteed starter next season, hopefully after having an impressive showing at Euro 2024 with England. Fernandes should remain due to his leadership qualities and sheer class but he needs more support alongside him and that could come in the form of Brazilian Gomes.

Alejandro Garnacho will look to build on his first full season in the first team and to strike up a more profitable partnership with Hojlund. Olise would then be an exciting prospect alongside the Argentine and the Dane, and would be within United’s reach if they can find a taker for Rashford.

Man Utd 2024-25 (4-3-3): Onana; Dalot, Branthwaite, Martinez, Netz; Fernandes, Mainoo, Gomes; Garnacho, Hojlund, Olise.