Manchester United list three options to solve Erik ten Hag’s latest squad crisis

Manchester United are said to be looking towards Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite as a name on their list to help Erik ten Hag cope with his defensive crisis.

Erik ten Hag is currently having a real problem with his Manchester United defence – five of them are injured.

Lisandro Martínez, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, and Sergio Reguilón are all out of action, with only the latter due back this month.

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Although most of these players are expected to be back fit before the January window opens (Martínez is the only player who may not be back by the new year), there is still a lack of depth which creates disjointed and poor defensive performances as a secondary problem that must be solved.

Harry Maguire was due to be moved on in the summer and Jonny Evans was signed on a one-year contract – the club know they must act in January to bring in both cover and new blood at centre-back, and are said to be targeting Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite as an option for the window.

This is according to Chris Wheeler, who also explains that United have “a few options in mind”, with both Benfica’s Antonio Silva and Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo mentioned in the piece.

Branthwaite impressed while on loan at Ruud van Nistelrooy’s PSV Eindhoven last campaign and the 21-year-old is causing waves across the Premier League, with Manchester City also listed among the English clubs keeping an eye on his progress.

Although it is said that Branthwaite is currently in talks with Everton over signing a new contract, this is “unlikely” to stop interest in the England U21 international if he continues to develop.