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
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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.
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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.”
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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