Manchester United Eye Everton Defender Jarrad Branthwaite

Manchester United are stepping up their interest in Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite as Michael Carrick pushes for major reinforcements at the back, according to Football Insider.

The 24-year-old has sat near the top of United’s recruitment list for some time, his emergence on Merseyside and consistent Premier League performances marking him out as a long-term solution for a defence already under scrutiny just four games into the new campaign.

United’s defence under the microscope

Carrick has seen enough early on to know his back line needs an upgrade. Questions over United’s defensive resilience have resurfaced, and the club’s hierarchy view Branthwaite as the kind of centre-back who could anchor their rearguard for years.

Inside Old Trafford, the admiration is no secret. Branthwaite is regarded as an “ideal” long-term target: tall, composed, left-sided, and still with room to grow. The only lingering doubt sits around his body, not his ability.

Injury history under the spotlight

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown has lifted the lid on the club’s stance. He confirmed that United’s talent spotters are already tracking Branthwaite closely after his return to David Moyes’ starting XI.

The hesitation from top clubs in the recent past was clear. Branthwaite missed 31 games across all competitions in the 2025-26 season with recurring hamstring issues, a run that cooled serious interest and raised red flags in recruitment departments.

Now, United want a full body of evidence.

“Branthwaite is somebody who has been high on their list for a long time,” Brown said. “Man United are going to have scouts watching him closely this season, because if he can get back to the sort of form he’s shown before, he will certainly be an option.”

That’s the plan: monitor every minute, every sprint, every recovery. Only then will United decide whether to move.

Everton’s stance: not in January

Any hopes of a quick deal look dead for now. A January transfer is viewed as highly unlikely, with Everton firmly against losing a key defender in mid-season.

The Toffees have already fought this battle. They previously held off serious interest from Real Madrid and Manchester City, tying Branthwaite down to a lucrative contract running to 2030. That deal gives Everton leverage, and they know it.

Moyes leans heavily on Branthwaite’s partnership with James Tarkowski to hold his side together. Breaking that up in the middle of a campaign would be a huge risk for a team that depends on its central defensive pairing for structure and leadership.

So, January? Off the table.

Eyes on the summer

Next summer is a different story. Inside United, there’s a quiet belief that Everton’s resolve could be tested if Branthwaite stays fit and continues to perform at a high level.

United intend to track his physical consistency for the rest of the season before making any formal move. The equation is simple: if the hamstrings hold and the level stays high under Moyes, Old Trafford is expected to come calling.

Everton will not want to lose him. United may decide they cannot afford not to try.

While Branthwaite remains the leading name, Carrick and his recruitment team are also assessing alternative defensive targets as they map out their long-term rebuild. But if the 24-year-old gets through this season unscathed and in form, the battle for his signature could become one of the defining transfer stories of the summer.