Jarrad Branthwaite

[romufc]

I'd imagine Dalot would also be good as a right sided CB in a 3, we have Maguire and still have Shaw on the books too.

We have some numbers in attack but not the quality. Several of those mentioned need moving on.

For me, if we have limited funds then the attack is priority but in an ideal world we do need both.

Its difficult right because it shows the mismanagement of funds for all this time that we go into every window for the past how many years requiring players for the same position.

We need a ST CM CB, this has been the case for a while now. CM we needed since Carrick left, we have never got one good enough, we keep buying CB's and forwards.

 

[Hughes35]

Its difficult right because it shows the mismanagement of funds for all this time that we go into every window for the past how many years requiring players for the same position.

We need a ST CM CB, this has been the case for a while now. CM we needed since Carrick left, we have never got one good enough, we keep buying CB's and forwards.

Yea, agree with this. The squad management has been atrocious and we've just been on a never ending cycle.

I do genuinely think we are pretty much there defensively though. We have good quality and players at good ages. As for the rest, the never ending story goes on.

 

[romufc]

Yea, agree with this. The squad management has been atrocious and we've just been on a never ending cycle.

I do genuinely think we are pretty much there defensively though. We have good quality and players at good ages. As for the rest, the never ending story goes on.

Ordinarily I would agree that we are good defensively but just the fact that Amorim wants to play 3 and the LCB and RCB need a bit of pace, our defence lacks that. Now unless, we use Dalot, Shaw there then we should be fine, no need to spend £60m on Branthwaite.

 

[mikeyt]

While Branthwaite has potential, we've just spent a lot of money on two CBs, one of whom hasn't played a game for us yet. I'd like to see how the options we have can fit into a back 3 before throwing 60 million at a player when we clearly need better midfield and attacking options. If we get to next summer and we're likely to lose Lindelof, Maguire and Evans (assuming all 3 leave) then, yes, let's take a look. But in January, if we are going to bring someone in, it has to be someone further up the pitch.

 

[Kingslayer18]

Would prefer Man Utd to replace Maguire with Diomande and wait with Branthwaite.

A) Need to see him stay fit. I also think it would do him good to play more football before signing for Man Utd.
B) We still have Luke Shaw on a contract til 2027. It is cheaper to get rid if we can make use of him one more year.
C) Branthwaite contracts too expire in 2027. Signing him summer of 2026 give us a bit more leverage.

Agree on this. Shaw can cover LCB and we will be targeting a LWB anyway who will likely start over or compete with Shaw. Yoro will have no backup given Evans and Lindelof are likely leaving and question marks over Maguire. Diomande can cover the middle CB position and RCB.

 

[groovyalbert]

Can he play upfront?

 

[RuudTom83]

If Everton get relegated or hammered with PSR then it’s an option worth looking into.

Part of me thinks it’s just a story that writes itself to fill a few webpages.

 

[Uncle Mainoo]

Would much rather Inacio for that LB spot since he will know the system and more importantly will be considerably cheaper than £70m.

Shame he has the muscle strength of Victor Lindelof but atleast he’s not English.

Which I suppose is your underlying problem?

 

[OverratedOpinion]

He's not as good as Maguire who is already our back up centre back.

 

[Pughnichi]

Unbeaten, is what I’m hearing.

50% clean sheet ratio
Or won 66.5% points of available points

 

[RDCR07]

Shame he has the muscle strength of Victor Lindelof but atleast he’s not English.

Which I suppose is your underlying problem?

Where did I say I have a problem with him being English? In case you couldn’t read what I wrote - I have a problem with the transfer fee not nationality.

 

[Uncle Mainoo]

Where did I say I have a problem with him being English? In case you couldn’t read what I wrote - I have a problem with the transfer fee not nationality.

I read it, but considering Inacio will cost north of £50m I didn’t understand the difference in cost, so I had to assume it was due to nationality.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

We're not that desperate for attacking players though, it depends how you look at it. We have Yoro De Ligt Martinez as our CB's but we need to get more as we dont really have another LCB. Evans and Lindelof contract expiring end of the season, so going into next season with 4 CB's is not ideal

In attack, we have alot of numbers. We have Antony, Bruno, Mount, Hojlund, Amad, Zirkzee, Rashford, Garnacho

Think we are 100% needing better quality in attack. Not numbers.

 

[daba]

Don’t quite see the fuss with Branthwaite. If he wasn’t English I genuinely don’t think the interest would be so high.

Murillo or Ousmane Diomande over him if we’re spending big on a CB. Would also put Scalvini in there too if he recovers from his ACL injury end of last season okay.

 

[bb8]

We're not that desperate for attacking players though, it depends how you look at it. We have Yoro De Ligt Martinez as our CB's but we need to get more as we dont really have another LCB. Evans and Lindelof contract expiring end of the season, so going into next season with 4 CB's is not ideal

In attack, we have alot of numbers. We have Antony, Bruno, Mount, Hojlund, Amad, Zirkzee, Rashford, Garnacho

Every team will end up with rosters with roughly similar numbers of players at each position though. Southampton has 5-6 attacking players too. What matters is quality, not quantity.

Other than Bruno, do we have a single attacker who is actually good? Not really. Some promise, youth, etc but not consistent quality. Rashford, Hojlund, Garnacho, and Amad wouldn't start for any of our rivals.

In theory, we may have 3-4 "good" defenders already between Martinez, De Ligt, Dalot, Ugarte, and eventually Yoro. I think certainly from a personnel standpoint I'd focus the transfer budget on midfield and winger/striker this off-season. Add another defender to replace the expiring contracts, sure, but it doesn't need to be a £60M guy.

 

[romufc]

Every team will end up with rosters with roughly similar numbers of players at each position though. Southampton has 5-6 attacking players too. What matters is quality, not quantity.

Other than Bruno, do we have a single attacker who is actually good? Not really. Some promise, youth, etc but not consistent quality. Rashford, Hojlund, Garnacho, and Amad wouldn't start for any of our rivals.

In theory, we may have 3-4 "good" defenders already between Martinez, De Ligt, Dalot, Ugarte, and eventually Yoro. I think certainly from a personnel standpoint I'd focus the transfer budget on midfield and winger/striker this off-season. Add another defender to replace the expiring contracts, sure, but it doesn't need to be a £60M guy.

That is also because of team performance. Before the start of the season no one would have taken Gravernberch... now more would.

If we have a system that creates chances, you will see alot of goals with the same players we have now.

 

[Bondi77]

That is also because of team performance. Before the start of the season no one would have taken Gravernberch... now more would.

If we have a system that creates chances, you will see alot of goals with the same players we have now.

But we created a lot of chances under the old manager.....it was purely a case of bad finishing and we still have the same players so what is your logic?

 

[romufc]

But we created a lot of chances under the old manager.....it was purely a case of bad finishing and we still have the same players so what is your logic?

Thats fine.. go by the stats, we created chances but if you watched Manutd and think we create loads of chances, then so be it. Nothing to be discussed.

 

[Rossa]

We're decent at the back now - we have some good players and cover for CB, even playing three CBs - Shaw, when fit, can fill in; Maguire is arguably better suited to a 3, De Ligt, Martinez, Evans and Yoro, and then Lindelof - good numbers. Where we truly struggle is to score goals, so we need a proper goal scorer in the team. It could've been Rashford, but it seems that isn't going to happen anytime soon at United.

 

[MinGin]

Agree on this. Shaw can cover LCB and we will be targeting a LWB anyway who will likely start over or compete with Shaw. Yoro will have no backup given Evans and Lindelof are likely leaving and question marks over Maguire. Diomande can cover the middle CB position and RCB.

Why people still think Shaw would be covered and competed LCB / LWB, he has ability but never be available.
20k per week can be used in more better way.

Season	Days	Injuries	Games missed
24/25	169 days	2	36
23/24	236 days	3	50
22/23	13 days	1	3
21/22	85 days	4	18
20/21	89 days	2	18
19/20	91 days	3	23
18/19	53 days	4	11
17/18	190 days	1	32
16/17	176 days	2	30
15/16	288 days	1	64
14/15	121 days	4	31
12/13	17 days	1	9

 

[Bondi77]

Thats fine.. go by the stats, we created chances but if you watched Manutd and think we create loads of chances, then so be it. Nothing to be discussed.

Did you watch the game against West Ham?

 

[romufc]

Did you watch the game against West Ham?

Oooo yeah 1 game out of 100's where we created nothing.

yeah you are right, we created loads of chances under Ten Hag, just our players couldn't finish.

We dont have players that can score goals.. forget Bruno and Rashford have scored loads for us in previous seasons.

 

[Bondi77]

Oooo yeah 1 game out of 100's where we created nothing.

yeah you are right, we created loads of chances under Ten Hag, just our players couldn't finish.

We dont have players that can score goals.. forget Bruno and Rashford have scored loads for us in previous seasons.

And under what manager did Rashford have his best season under?
Bruno's finishing under Erik was dire compared to what he did when he first came to the club and Stevie Wonder can see that.
The team have to be clinical when the opportunity presents and if we can do that we will win games but we have not done that consistently for a while now so hopefully Ruben will address that issue.

 

[Zed 101]

Oooo yeah 1 game out of 100's where we created nothing.

yeah you are right, we created loads of chances under Ten Hag, just our players couldn't finish.

We dont have players that can score goals.. forget Bruno and Rashford have scored loads for us in previous seasons.

There is a massive difference between chances and good chances, the last 12 months the vast majority of chances have been one of Rashford or Garnacho cutting in and shooting or running to the goal line then cutting back in last second into a crowded 6 yard box, other than that it is shooting from the edge of the box or further out, all of this is very predictable, easy to defend and difficult to convert, Hoijlund has one of the best shot conversion rates of any striker right now.

When we start creating decent chances Rashford, Garnacho, Bruno, Amad, Hoijlund, Eriksen, Mount and a few others will start banging in the goals, they have done it before, blaming our lack of goals on players being poor finishers is short sighted, like blaming Onana for conceding goals when we are giving away 20+ shots a game, you are identifying the problem not the cause of the problem.

 

[romufc]

And under what manager did Rashford have his best season under?
Bruno's finishing under Erik was dire compared to what he did when he first came to the club and Stevie Wonder can see that.
The team have to be clinical when the opportunity presents and if we can do that we will win games but we have not done that consistently for a while now so hopefully Ruben will address that issue.

Under Ten Hag. Well it is also interesting over the years we keep scoring less and less goals.

When he has been backed with attacking players and strikers.

 

[romufc]

There is a massive difference between chances and good chances, the last 12 months the vast majority of chances have been one of Rashford or Garnacho cutting in and shooting or running to the goal line then cutting back in last second into a crowded 6 yard box, other than that it is shooting from the edge of the box or further out, all of this is very predictable, easy to defend and difficult to convert, Hoijlund has one of the best shot conversion rates of any striker right now.

When we start creating decent chances Rashford, Garnacho, Bruno, Amad, Hoijlund, Eriksen, Mount and a few others will start banging in the goals, they have done it before, blaming our lack of goals on players being poor finishers is short sighted, like blaming Onana for conceding goals when we are giving away 20+ shots a game, you are identifying the problem not the cause of the problem.

That is my point. No United fan can watch the games and say we create loads of chances and its the forwards not scoring because like you said the chances are not really good. Also, we dont get ourselves into good chance creating situations enough either, meaning when a chance does come, players snatch at it more.

If we got into chance creating positions often, then you can look at the players and say they aren't good enough.

 

[MadDogg]

Why people still think Shaw would be covered and competed LCB / LWB, he has ability but never be available.
20k per week can be used in more better way.

Season	Days	Injuries	Games missed
24/25	169 days	2	36
23/24	236 days	3	50
22/23	13 days	1	3
21/22	85 days	4	18
20/21	89 days	2	18
19/20	91 days	3	23
18/19	53 days	4	11
17/18	190 days	1	32
16/17	176 days	2	30
15/16	288 days	1	64
14/15	121 days	4	31
12/13	17 days	1	9

That list is wrong. It was taken by adding the rows from transfermarkt for each respective season, but that website seems to double-up so one game is sometimes counted twice. For instance, we've only played 18 games this season (and England have played 6) but it's listed here as 36 games missed. Last season is wrong as well (missed 37 games for us), so wouldn't surprise me if there's mistakes all through that it.

Shaw has obviously missed a lot of games, but not as many as this list indicates.

 

[Solius]

How is his passing? I feel like it needs to be pretty good to play the wide CB role as you'll be needed for a lot of ball progression.

 

[Hammondo]

That is my point. No United fan can watch the games and say we create loads of chances and its the forwards not scoring because like you said the chances are not really good. Also, we dont get ourselves into good chance creating situations enough either, meaning when a chance does come, players snatch at it more.

If we got into chance creating positions often, then you can look at the players and say they aren't good enough.

Our forwards are supposed to be creating chances. They have done poorly.

 

[romufc]

Our forwards are supposed to be creating chances. They have done poorly.

This is very short sighted imo.

Its like saying our defenders are meant to defend but we kept conceding 20+ shots last season? I am sure you are aware that, it is a team game?

If the midfielders and attackers dont defend / track their runners, you can't point all the blame on the defenders?

Likewise with the attack. You need the defence / midfield to help in the build up, so that the attackers can create and score.

 

[Hammondo]

This is very short sighted imo.

Its like saying our defenders are meant to defend but we kept conceding 20+ shots last season? I am sure you are aware that, it is a team game?

If the midfielders and attackers dont defend / track their runners, you can't point all the blame on the defenders?

Likewise with the attack. You need the defence / midfield to help in the build up, so that the attackers can create and score.

Absolutely but it's the forwards that are the worst at doing their part when attacking.

 

[jderbyshire]

What's he like on the ball?

It looks like Amorim's CBs need to be good at passing and progressing the ball.

 

[romufc]

Absolutely but it's the forwards that are the worst at doing their part when attacking.

Yes but like in defence, if the forwards dont help, you are open. In attack if the defence and midfield dont help, you cant really create as alot of teams now defend with 10 men behind the ball.

Secondly, we are relying on Rashford (inconsistent) Garnacho and Hojlund who are U21 to create and score? None of those players are creators. Its all about balance of the team, which Ten Hag consistently got wrong.

Anyway, we digress as this is the Branthwaite thread, I think he would be good for us, but obviously for the right price.

 

[Hammondo]

Yes but like in defence, if the forwards dont help, you are open. In attack if the defence and midfield dont help, you cant really create as alot of teams now defend with 10 men behind the ball.

Secondly, we are relying on Rashford (inconsistent) Garnacho and Hojlund who are U21 to create and score? None of those players are creators. Its all about balance of the team, which Ten Hag consistently got wrong.

Anyway, we digress as this is the Branthwaite thread, I think he would be good for us, but obviously for the right price.

But our midfield and fullbacks do help with attack, it's our forwards that are not pulling their weight.

 

[MinGin]

That list is wrong. It was taken by adding the rows from transfermarkt for each respective season, but that website seems to double-up so one game is sometimes counted twice. For instance, we've only played 18 games this season (and England have played 6) but it's listed here as 36 games missed. Last season is wrong as well (missed 37 games for us), so wouldn't surprise me if there's mistakes all through that it.

Shaw has obviously missed a lot of games, but not as many as this list indicates.

oh, the record of 24/25 injury history is doubled due to the date of calf injury and knee injury are double summed

Season	Injury	from	until	Days	Games missed
24/25	Calf injury	Aug 11, 2024	Nov 8, 2024	89 days	20
24/25	Knee injury	Aug 1, 2024	Oct 20, 2024	80 days	16
23/24	Muscle injury	Feb 18, 2024	Jun 10, 2024	113 days	22
23/24	Thigh problems	Dec 24, 2023	Jan 24, 2024	31 days	4
23/24	Muscle injury	Aug 23, 2023	Nov 23, 2023	92 days	24
22/23	unknown injury	Apr 6, 2023	Apr 19, 2023	13 days	3
21/22	Leg injury	Apr 2, 2022	May 13, 2022	41 days	8
21/22	Corona virus	Mar 2, 2022	Mar 16, 2022	14 days	3
21/22	Hamstring injury	Jan 18, 2022	Jan 31, 2022	13 days	2
21/22	Head injury	Nov 20, 2021	Dec 7, 2021	17 days	5
20/21	Hamstring injury	Nov 7, 2020	Dec 7, 2020	30 days	9
20/21	Ankle injury	Jul 14, 2020	Sep 11, 2020	59 days	9

 

[caid]

Its hard to predict what we'll need with a change in formation. A LWB or LB is a safe bet but beyond that you can see some players adjusting quite well or struggling with the change. We have 3 cb's on the way out at the end of the season and i dont think anyone is desperate to keep them so we probably will need to bring someone in.
Branthwaite hasn't played enough this season. Whatever the reason for it, its not a great sales pitch.

 

[bb8]

This is very short sighted imo.

Its like saying our defenders are meant to defend but we kept conceding 20+ shots last season? I am sure you are aware that, it is a team game?

If the midfielders and attackers dont defend / track their runners, you can't point all the blame on the defenders?

Likewise with the attack. You need the defence / midfield to help in the build up, so that the attackers can create and score.

Right now we're 6th in the Prem in xG, but 18th in goals scored. So we have created good chances, but we've missed them mostly. It's a small sample so I wouldn't take the stats fully at face value, but again who is a good attacking player on the team besides Bruno?

Would any of Rashford, Hojlund, Garnacho, and Amad start at any of City, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea? I think the answer is no, and that really tells you all you need to know. We have fairly average attacking players, and hence we're not great at creating chances nor scoring the ones we do make. Rashford was a good player but appears to have declined a bit from his peak (hopefully I'm wrong, but he's at the age declines often begin) and the others haven't yet reached their potential.

And to your point on defense last year, yes I think a lot of it was personnel issues. We had no Ugarte in midfield, instead relying on a declining Casemiro, and Licha/Maguire/Varane were hurt much of the year. Guys like Lindelof and Evans aren't great players, and the defense played accordingly. Heck, we tried Case at CB for a bit we were so desperate.

 

[Bondi77]

Right now we're 6th in the Prem in xG, but 18th in goals scored. So we have created good chances, but we've missed them mostly. It's a small sample so I wouldn't take the stats fully at face value, but again who is a good attacking player on the team besides Bruno?

Would any of Rashford, Hojlund, Garnacho, and Amad start at any of City, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea? I think the answer is no, and that really tells you all you need to know. We have fairly average attacking players, and hence we're not great at creating chances nor scoring the ones we do make. Rashford was a good player but appears to have declined a bit from his peak (hopefully I'm wrong, but he's at the age declines often begin) and the others haven't yet reached their potential.

And to your point on defense last year, yes I think a lot of it was personnel issues. We had no Ugarte in midfield, instead relying on a declining Casemiro, and Licha/Maguire/Varane were hurt much of the year. Guys like Lindelof and Evans aren't great players, and the defense played accordingly. Heck, we tried Case at CB for a bit we were so desperate.

I stated earlier on a post that we created chances but our finishing was poor and that was a big issue and it will be under the new manager unless our players lift their game when it comes to converting chances to goals;
https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/clubs/big_chance_missed

 

[VP89]

Is he even fit? I haven't watched much of Everton this season to be fair.

 

[IRELANDUNITED]

Would Everton take Maguire and a bit of cash for him?