Manchester United are set for a huge summer on and off the pitch, with the hierarchy having huge decisions to make about the direction of the football club.
Temporary manager Michael Carrick is yet to see his long-term future at Old Trafford decided, with the board needing to make a call on who will lead the side forward.
As for the playing squad, the midfield department will no doubt be the area bolstered most, with such a position one that’s in desperate need of added investment.
Brazilian international Casemiro announced earlier this campaign that he would be departing the Red Devils at the end of his current contract when it expires in June.
However, it’s yet to be decided who the club will target in such a position, especially due to the sheer number of players currently linked with a transfer to Old Trafford.
Man Utd hold meeting to sign English sensation
Elliot Anderson is just one of countless players who have been tipped with a move to join United this summer, with the England international constantly touted with a transfer.
The Nottingham Forest star has even been mooted as the hierarchy’s number one target this window, but any deal for his signature certainly won’t be a cheap one.
A fee of £100m could be required to land the 23-year-old during the off-season, with rivals Manchester City another team firmly in the race to secure his services.
However, Anderson isn’t the only Englishman currently in the Red Devils’ sights, with Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite another player admired by the hierarchy.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the United board held a meeting with the 23-year-old’s representatives over a potential move back in February.
He also stated that the player himself remains keen on a move to join the club, after previous interest mounted for his services during numerous other transfer windows.
No fee has yet been mooted over any possible transfer this summer, but a deal could still be firmly on the cards given the respective interest from both parties.
Why Branthwaite is a bigger talent than Anderson
After the 2025/26 campaign, midfielder and United transfer target Anderson has become one of the country’s biggest talents, with the Forest star now a regular England international.
Even in the Premier League, the 23-year-old has thrived, as seen by his phenomenal underlying stats under various managers at the City Ground this campaign.
He’s won possession back a staggering 259 times in England’s top-flight this season, with such a tally 95 more than the second-best of any other player in the division.
Anderson’s subsequent tally is also higher than any player has managed in each of the last two seasons, even doing so with seven games remaining this term.
There’s no doubt he would be an excellent addition for the Red Devils squad, with the £100m price tag potentially breaking the club’s long-standing record transfer.
As for Branthwaite, the centre-back would provide needed quality into the backline, potentially being the perfect long-term option at the heart of the defence.
His biggest asset with any transfer would no doubt be his left-foot, with English left-sided defenders certainly becoming a rare breed in the modern game.
Whilst he’s struggled with injuries this term, only making eight appearances to date, he has a longer career in the top division – as seen by his tally of 83 appearances.
His stats from last season highlight how impressive he’s been in such a division, with his potential arrival massively bolstering the club’s options in the defensive unit.
Branthwaite featured 30 times for the Toffees during the 2024/25 campaign, registering 9.8 defensive actions per 90 – subsequently ranking him in the top 12% of players in the league.
|
Jarrad Branthwaite – PL stats (2024/25) |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Tally |
|
Games played |
30 |
|
Goals & assists |
1 |
|
Pass accuracy |
83% |
|
Dribble success |
60% |
|
Defensive actions |
9.8 |
|
Duels won |
63% |
|
Aerials won |
59% |
|
Tackles made |
1.3 |
He also managed to win 63% of the duels he entered for David Moyes’ men last term, also placing him within the top 15% of all defenders in the division.
In possession, he’s also demonstrated that he’s capable of catching the eye, subsequently completing 83% of his passes, whilst achieving a 60% dribble success rate.
His all-round quality with and without the ball would undoubtedly be a huge asset to United, especially given the struggles in such an area over recent years.
A deal for Anderson would massively improve the midfield department, but for the fee mooted, there’s no denying that there could be better options available this summer.
As for Branthwaite, his experience at a tender age could make for the perfect combination, with the youngster having a chance to thrive for the Red Devils and United for many years to come.
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