Gareth Southgate says ‘priority’ Man United target has seriously surprised him, can’t believe his progress

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Gareth Southgate has been seriously surprised by supposed Manchester United target Jarrad Branthwaite this season.

The first international break of 2024 is looming on the horizon and England boss Gareth Southgate has named his squad for the upcoming fixtures.

With Euro 2024 quickly approaching, the Three Lions will take on Brazil and Belgium in friendlies next week to prepare for the tournament.

Manchester United are represented by Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire in the squad but Kobbie Mainoo has just missed out while Luke Shaw is injured.

Several of England’s biggest stars are sidelined and Southgate has been forced into some experimental picks as a result.

Jarrard Branthwaite, who has been linked with a move to United this week, is one such example.

• READ MORE: Who is Kobbie Mainoo? Inside the life of Man Utd’s rising star, including his parents, brother and school

Gareth Southgate on Jarrad Branthwaite

Southgate has been left surprised by Branthwaite’s development into a Premier League regular at Everton this season as it’s something he didn’t expect after watching him for England Under-21s last summer.

The manager said in a press conference: “He’s played consistently well.

“His development, we watched him as a back-up centre-half in the Under-21 finals last year and if you told me he would play as consistently well at Premier League level as he has then I’d question that last summer.

“So great credit to him and to Sean, he’s given a young centre-half an opportunity.

“He’s good with the ball. Shows good composure, good mentality.

“He’s a left-footer, we don’t have many left-footed defenders.

“So he’s in on merit and we’re really keen to work with him and find out a bit more about him.”

Branthwaite sounds like just what United need

The transfer window is many months away but United have already been linked with a host of centre-backs.

It’s clear to see why one is needed given Lisandro Martinez has been sidelined all season while Maguire and Raphael Varane have also had fitness issues.

Erik ten Hag has been forced into playing 36-year-old Jonny Evans far more than anticipated and reinforcements are obviously required.

According to The Mirror, Branthwaite is a ‘priority target’ for United this summer but the Toffees will demand as much as £75 million for him.

That’s a steep price for someone so young but, going off Southgate’s appraisal, he sounds like exactly what United need.