Manchester United 'step up interest in highly-rated Premier League defender'

The 21-year-old has been a regular starter for the Toffees this season as they try to avoid an unthinkable relegation to the Championship.

Branthwaite has started 30 Premier League matches and has managed to make the net ripple on two occasions as the campaign draws to a close.

Overall, the centre-back has featured 39 times across all competitions, in what has been his first full campaign as a first-team star at Goodison Park.

The youngster spent the 2022-23 campaign on loan in the Eredivisie at PSV Eindhoven, making 36 appearances for the Dutch giants over the course of the term.

Man United step up interest in Everton's Branthwaite?

According to Football Insider, Manchester United are planning a rebuild of their backline during the upcoming summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Red Devils are keen on securing the services of Everton's Branthwaite ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, one which improvements will be targeted.

It is understood that Erik ten Hag's side want to agree an early deal with the Toffees for the defender, who could become the first signing of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's reign at Old Trafford.

Supposedly, the INEOS billionaire believes that Branthwaite could be the future of United's backline as the club looks to move away from a period of stagnation.

Man United's defensive dilemmas

There could be plenty of change in Man United's backline over the summer window, with a number of defensive players potentially leaving the club.

Raphael Varane's contract on the red side of Manchester expires in the summer, and it is said that the Frenchman will depart on a free transfer.

Premier League veteran Jonny Evans is also stumbling towards the end of his current terms at Old Trafford, with the centre-back expected to leave ahead of the new season.

Despite injury problems this season, it is believed that the Red Devils are hoping to retain the services of both Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez.

Due to a number of backline options for United being stuck in the medical room, Ten Hag was forced to field a centre-back partnership of Casemiro and Harry Maguire for the FA Cup semi-final success over Coventry City on Sunday.