"He's special" - Jamie Carragher admits he's a huge fan of Premier League star Man United are tipped to sign

Jamie Carragher has spoken glowingly about one of Manchester United's rumoured top transfer targets, describing him as "pretty special".

Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite is enjoying a breakthrough season, establishing himself as a regular at centre-back alongside James Tarkowski and making 26 appearances in all competitions.

The left-footed defender has been playing with maturity beyond his years and

There have been calls for Branthwaite to be fast-tracked in the England squad, while the 21-year-old has also been linked with a number of big clubs.

Recent reports claim that he is on United's summer transfer shortlist as they look for a new centre-back.

Everton will no doubt command a huge fee for their prized asset but former Liverpool defender Carragher is convinced he is the real deal.

Speaking on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, he said: “I think he is [special]. And what is really special as well is the amount of centre-backs we have in the Premier League aged 21 or younger.

“I remember being a young lad going in myself at Liverpool and it’s an unforgiven position, I had to go to full-back for the next three or four years and then go back to centre-back, so you can see the quality we have.

"Branthwaite has been outstanding, Murillo I think has been outstanding. But I think this lad has been pretty special and he’s a big part of why in my eyes Everton still have a great chance of staying up, him and his partnership with [James] Tarkowski.”

Image: Getty

Branthwaite joined Everton from Carlisle in 2020 and spent time on loan at Blackburn Rovers and PSV before getting his break in the first-team.

In the Eredivisie, he played under former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy - who is said to have given him quite the recommendation when his former club asked for a reference.

Also controversially linked with Liverpool, Branthwaite signed a new four-year deal in October.

Topics: Jamie Carragher, Manchester United, Everton

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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