By admin 
Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth reportedly believes Jarrad Branthwaite ‘would fit’ into new boss Ruben Amorim’s system, with the Red Devils plotting a new attack on Everton.
United spent around £90 million on centre-backs last summer alone. They signed Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt to improve the backline.
But they missed out on their main target, Branthwaite, after Everton rejected two United bids for him.
Manager Erik ten Hag has since been fired and Amorim will take his place on November 11. With a new boss at the helm, the pressure on Branthwaite appears to be continuing.
Indeed, talkSPORT reports that United sporting director Ashworth believes the Everton centre-back ‘would suit Amorim’s playing style and his preferred 3-4-3 system’.
As such, United are plotting a new move for him, which they say could be matched by Liverpool, who are also keen on Branthwaite.
DON’T MISS: How Jarrad Branthwaite compares to Lisandro Martinez as Man Utd consider blockbuster bid
Ratcliffe shares Branthwaite’s importance
The move will undoubtedly get the green light from United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Indeed, TEAMtalk understands that Ratcliffe, who has football control at Old Trafford, remains eager to sign Branthwaite.
We are also aware that Everton would like to receive £80 million for their prized asset.
That said, a big push from United to sign him is likely, either in January or in the summer.
Man Utd overview: Huge attackers in the mind
Amorim was forced to discuss a possible move from Man Utd for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres after the superstar scored a hat-trick against Manchester City in the manager’s penultimate match in charge of the Portuguese side.
Amid United’s ties with Gyokeres, Amorim has stated he will “respect” his soon-to-be former club by not poaching the rush hour in January.
Instead, he could go after Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic. An Italian expert has suggested this there is an avenue where Vlahovic is going to Old Trafford in January.
As part of that deal, he believes Joshua Zirkzee could be pushed out the door by United and join Juve instead.
It comes after the Dutchman was branded ‘outrageous’ by Ally McCoist following reports he arrived at United in the summer a stone overweight.
Potential United line-up
TEAMtalk has expert Nathan Egerton examined how United’s current squad could be deployed among Amorim.
In the centre-back three, Yoro and De Ligt were the right and centre-backs respectively, with Lisandro Martinez on the left.
Branthwaite, a left-footer with Martinez, could challenge for the left-back role if he is signed.
What is more likely, however, is that 18-year-old Yoro will be on the bench, with De Ligt shifting to right centre-back and Branthwaite and Martinez filling the other two spots.
There is obviously room for more cutting and switching with an extra centre-back than United is used to, and that could mean all four men playing a bit more often.