“That lad is special…” – Jamie Carragher hails Man United and INEOS transfer target

Jamie Carragher has hailed one Manchester United and INEOS transfer target as “special” following his impressive performances this season.

Carragher, formally of Liverpool, was speaking on Sky Sports about the impact of Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite on Sean Dyche’s team.

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The 21-year-old defender is playing his first consistent season at Goodison Park this term after a successful loan spell with Ruud van Nistlerooy’s PSV last season.

Branthwaite has made 28 appearances so far this campaign, completing 90 minutes in every one of those games. He has been crucial to The Toffees, who have suffered a 10-point deduction in the Premier League.

His performances have ensured that Liverpool legend Carragher remains a big fan of him, labelling the defender as “special”, despite the reported interest from rivals Man United too.

“I think he is,” Carragher reiterated. “And what is really special as well is the amount of centre-backs we have in the Premier League aged 21 or younger.

“Branthwaite has been outstanding; Murillo [of Nottingham Forest], I think, has been outstanding. But I think this lad [Branthwaite] 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.”

It is reported that the Old Trafford club are interested in the young defender, and that has been strengthened following the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, who wants to sign top homegrown talent for a new-build British core at the club.

A potential deal could be ever more likely considering Everton’s position in the table as well as their well-documented financial issues.