Jarrad Branthwaite to Manchester United: Why Erik Ten Hag could make an exception for the Everton defender | soccer news

Jarad Branthwaite is at the top of Manchester United's list of centre-backs. Considering that their best centre-back, Lisandro Martinez, is also left-footed, his priorities are puzzling.

Left-footed center back combinations are rare in elite soccer. Conventional wisdom dictates that it doesn't work, although until recently there was no such problem with two right-footed centre-backs.

Everton's Branthwaite is ahead of Marc Guehi, Jean-Clair Todibo and Leni Yoro in United's thoughts. They are all right-footed, as is Raphael Varane, who is leaving as a free agent at the end of this month.

Manchester United appear to be challenging that idea as they search for Varane's successor. Few others have tried.

Aymeric Laporte's French career never took place because Didier Deschamps refused. Interestingly, after switching to Spain, Laporte played three matches at Euro 2020 alongside left-footed Pau Torres.

But the former Manchester City defender was knocked out in the semi-finals and looked awkward in possession for his side. A similar result was achieved in City's rare away game against Nathan Ake. Little encouragement.

Brentford's Reece Pinnock and Ben Mee are another rare example.

On the surface, Branthwaite's pursuit is a mystery. This is especially true considering Erik Ten Hag's reluctance to use a right-footed centre-back as an assistant to Martinez, preferring left-back Luke Shaw.

“Left-footers have better angles when in possession because they are better towards the left,” Ten Hag said when explaining his thoughts in 2023.

For most of the season, Ten Hag refused to let Varane play alongside Harry Maguire because they felt the team's fluidity was negatively affected by one of their left centre-backs.

Asking for left-footed centre-backs is a relatively new phenomenon in the Premier League. Not all managers embrace this, but Ten Hag sees it as a priority. Martinez is only 26 years old and is the clear favorite at left centre-back. So why would Ten Hag make an exception here?

Everton's 21-year-old has played every game at left-back in the Premier League this season. But looking further back at his career, Branthwaite has experience on another front as well.

Branthwaite played 44% of the minutes as a right-sided centre-back under United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy during his loan spell at Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in 2022/23. He also had a bit of a role at right-back.

This is because although Branthwaite is primarily left-footed, he can also play with his right foot. Van Nistelrooy goes one step further. “He is good on the ball and has two feet so he can play to the left or right of the centre-backs.”

The video game EA FC 24 gave him a five-star weak spot. For context, Victor Lindelof, the preferred left-footed centre-back when right-footed centre-back Ten Hag is pushed, has a 4-star weak foot.

Branthwaite has two feet, so his former academy coach at Carlisle seems to argue that we are all wrong about which foot comes naturally to the defender. “Zarad is not left-footed!” Eric Kinder said. liverpool echo Early this year. “I’m right-footed, but both feet are the same.”

He added: “I laughed when Jamie Carragher said it was difficult to find a young left-footed centre-back. I laughed.”

“If people ask me if Gerard Branthwaite has had a chance, I will say: He is 6ft 4in, he can head the ball and he can kick it with both feet. What could go wrong?”

Kinder's prediction was almost spot on. Branthwaite's ability to play down the right-hand side makes him a unique proposition in the transfer market as a left-footer. United therefore rushed to sign him.

Martinez and Shaw's bad luck with injuries last season left United without a left-footer at the heart of their defence. The addition of Branthwaite will give Martinez's partner and proper study if his problems persist.

However, the recent lack of experience in right defense raises questions. The other qualities Branthwaite brings have certainly encouraged United to take calculated risks.

Like Martinez, one of Ten Hag's transfer deal success stories, Branthwaite is passing comfortably, a quality that has been missing from United this season due to the Argentine's absence.

Branthwaite is also quicker than the rest of United's central defenders, and his long strides give him an advantage in the foot race against opposition attackers. The 6-foot-5 defender's recovery speed makes him a perfect fit for a high back line.

We saw how William Saliba allowed Arsenal to change their defensive shape for similar reasons when he joined the first team.

Branthwaite also has many of the same characteristics as Varane, the defender he replaces at Old Trafford.

Branthwaite ranks first in tackles, interceptions, duels won and aerial duels per 90 minutes. His strengths lend themselves well to the transitional playstyle that Ten Hag has attempted to implement.

Often United's defenders struggle to match that intensity. This is why we have seen gaps opening up in midfield as teams play low blocks and high lines simultaneously.

Varane surpasses Branthwaite in aerial duels won percentage and duels won percentage, although he ranks in the Premier League's top 10 alongside Harry Maguire on both of the latter metrics.

Ten Hag likes to often one-on-one his defenders, so gaining the upper hand in duels is important. A loss can quickly expose the rest of the team, which partly explains the ease with which teams have been able to outperform United this season.

United are considering bringing back Branthwaite after Everton rejected a £35m bid, with the defender valued at £70m. It is understood United will make a move if Everton do not lower their asking price.

If they can reach an agreement, United could form one of the few elite left-footed centre-back pairings.