Manchester United have reportedly already identified their replacement for Harry Maguire, as Rúben Amorim seeks defensive upgrades.
The 2025 summer transfer window was all about improving Manchester United’s attacking outlet.
The club spent over £180 million on securing Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig to rejuvenate their attacking line completely.
So far, Mbeumo and Šeško have two goals each to their name, while Cunha has had a mixed start to the campaign due to injuries.
But, with planning for the 2026 summer transfer window also underway, there is an expectation that significant defensive reinforcements will join the first-team squad.
United know their replacement for Maguire
According to reports from the past few weeks, United have already decided not to hand centre-back Harry Maguire a new contract this season, with the 33-year-old’s current deal set to expire in June 2026.
It has been well documented that the club appreciate Everton’s 23-year-old defender Jarrad Branthwaite, and have attempted to prise him away from Merseyside for the last two summers.
According to The Mirror, amid United’s decision not to extend Maguire’s current contract, they will once again try to sign the English defender, who former United director of football Dan Ashworth once saw as the “perfect” centre-back for Amorim.
However, The Mirror’s report also states that United will face fierce competition from Liverpool for their long-term target. Arne Slot’s side are very light in defence as it stands, and could lose Ibrahima Konaté to Real Madrid next summer, so will be looking to bring in multiple new centre-backs in 2026.
Branthwaite gives United more dynamic options
Branthwaite is rightly regarded as one of the best defensive prospects across English football, and very well could fit the mould of defender United are looking to replace Maguire with.
The 23-year-old is good in the air, already has 75 Premier League appearances to his name, and fits the mould of a star who can grow as a player at the same time as the rest of the squad improves and develops.
However, the extra incentive that head coach Rúben Amorim may like about Branthwaite is that he’s left-footed.
United’s current left-footed centre-back options are Luke Shaw, Ayden Heaven, and Lisandro Martínez, but the former and latter are always at risk of injury, while 19-year-old Heaven remains inexperienced.
Branhtwaite’s signing would give Amorim the chance to have a centre-back who can play consistently either on the left or in the middle of his back three, which would open up a new avenue of passing lanes to break lines and progress play through the thirds at Old Trafford.
However, United must be prepared to pay a mammoth fee to secure the player from Everton. David Moyes’ club demanded a payment of £75 million back in 2023, and Branthwaite’s new contract earlier in the summer will only increase his value.
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