Man Utd very keen on signing £70m “physical beast” who’d be ideal for Amorim
Ruben Amorim is looking to strengthen his squad in several key areas in 2026, and a “physical beast” has now emerged as a top target for Manchester United.
Amorim prepared to bide his time in the transfer market
With the January transfer window edging ever closer, Amorim has been speaking about his plans, and the manager stressed the importance of not rushing into any deals, saying: “What we cannot do is reach January and try to do everything with urgency and make mistakes again and be left saying ‘here we go again’. I am not going to go to Jason [Wilcox, director of football] and say we need a lot of players.”
The Red Devils’ recruitment since Sir Alex Ferguson retired has been much-maligned, but some of their summer transfer business has been successful, with Bryan Mbeumo making a flying start to life at Old Trafford, netting six goals in 16 Premier League games.
Matheus Cunha has also impressed at times, scoring against Aston Villa last time out, but United’s rebuild appears to be far from over, with a new central midfielder of particular interest, given that Casemiro’s contract is set to expire in the summer.
According to a report from Caught Offside, Man United also remain keen on signing a new left wing-back, alongside a centre-back, and several potential options have now been identified.
Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is one of the Red Devils’ top targets, with the defender’s composure in possession and physical presence potentially making him an ideal fit in Amorim’s system, while his Premier League experience is an added bonus.
Amorim has no interest in making any stop-gap signings, wanting to bring in new players capable of making a difference on a long-term basis, and Branthwaite could fit the bill, given that he is just 23-years-old.
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The Red Devils could have a big decision to make in the January transfer window…
ByDominic Lund "Beast" Branthwaite could be expensive signing for Man Utd
A deal for the Everton defender could be on the pricey side, with it being revealed the Toffees have set an asking price of £70m, but there are indications he could be a success at Old Trafford.
Scout Ben Mattinson described the Englishman as a two-footed “physical beast”, off the back of a loan spell at PSV Eindhoven, and the centre-back has since gone on to catch the eye in an Everton shirt.
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The Carlisle-born defender is yet to make an appearance this season, as a result of a hamstring injury, but Statman Dave was left very impressed by a display against Liverpool last season.
Branthwaite is now experienced in the Premier League, having made 75 appearances in the competition, but Man United may be better off waiting until the summer to potentially pursue a deal, as it remains to be seen how he recovers from a long injury lay-off.