Manchester United 'confident' they can land agreement for England international amid talk of fresh bid

Manchester United are planning a new bid for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and are ‘confident’ they can accept a price tag for the player, according to a report by Football Insider. The Red Devils are said to have had two bids rejected already this summer as they look to lure him to Old Trafford before the end of the window.

Erik ten Hag’s side kick-start the new Premier League season on Friday with a home clash against Fulham as they look to start with a positive result. They were beaten in the Community Shield final on penalties by rivals Manchester City over the weekend at Wembley.

United have been long-term admirers of Branthwaite, who is 22-years-old, but haven’t been able to strike an agreement with Everton yet. They have until the deadline later this month to get their man, otherwise they will have to wait until January before lodging another approach.

The Cumbrian-born man missed out on England’s squad for Euro 2024. Gareth Southgate opted to take Brighton and Hove Albion’s Lewis Dunk over to Germany instead.

Branthwaite started his career at Carlisle United and rose up through their academy ranks before breaking into their first-team as a youngster. Everton then came calling in 2019 and lured him up to the top flight.

He was loaned out to Blackburn Rovers and PSV to get some experience under his belt away from Goodison Park. The centre-back has since broken into their starting XI under the guidance of Sean Dyche and has become one of the Toffees’ most prized assets, scoring four goals in 54 games in all competitions.

Speaking to Everton’s website in July, he insisted he was looking forward to the new campaign with the Merseyside outfit: “I think for me it's just about taking what I learned from last season, and the season before, and putting it all together. I think last season, playing all the games I did helped me put performances in and get the experience I needed. I'm going to take that into this season and keep learning.

“When you’ve got a good defensive record, it gives you confidence going into the new season. It’s not just the defenders who contribute to that, it’s the whole team and it’s the way the manager has us set up to give us the best possible chance to win games, and to pick up as many points as we can.

“I think it’ll be the same again this season. Hopefully, we can pick up a few wins early on and get the momentum going in the new season.”

He added: “Before I came back from my loan [Dyche] rang me just to catch up. As soon as I came, and I could see he was going to give me a chance, it was just about working hard. The start of the season – three or four games – I wasn’t in the team, but he was reassuring me I'll get my chance and it was for me to take it. Thanks to him he gave me that chance and I took it.”