Manchester United was held to a 2-2 draw by Leeds United on Wednesday, denying them the opportunity to draw level with rivals Manchester City. Erik ten Hag’s side trailed The Whites 2-0 at Old Trafford before late goals from Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho salvaged a point.
The Red Devils are still in third place in the Premier League, seven points behind league leaders Arsenal, who also have two games in hand.
United are now said to be interested in a surprise move for a Premier League defender, though they will have to outbid rivals Liverpool for his services.
According to The Mail, both Manchester United and Liverpool have sent scouts to watch Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite. Currently on loan at PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands.
The 20-year-old center-back has been impressive in the Eredivisie, starting all six of PSV’s league games this season.
PSV is said to have had two bids for Branthwaite rejected by The Toffees, the second of which was worth £15 million.
During his time at Everton, Marcel Brands, the Dutch club’s sporting director, signed Branthwaite.
The defender joined Everton from Carlisle United for £1 million in 2020 and spent time on loan with Championship side Blackburn Rovers during the 2020/21 season.
Branthwaite has made 13 senior appearances for Everton since making his debut under Carlo Ancelotti, but the defender fell out of favor under Frank Lampard and was loaned out last summer.
United is expected to be in the market for a central defender this summer, with Harry Maguire linked to a move away from Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, Liverpool has struggled defensively this season, particularly in the absence of Virgil van Dijk, and Joel Matip is rumored to be allowed to leave Anfield at the end of the season.
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