Manchester United have Jarrad Brantwhaite prime of their centre-back listing. His prioritisation turns into perplexing when you think about that Lisandro Martinez, their finest centre-back, can also be left-footed.
Left-footed centre-back pairings are scarce in elite soccer. Typical knowledge dictates that it simply does not work, regardless that, up till not too long ago, there was no such problem with two right-footed centre-backs.
Everton’s Brantwhaite is forward of Marc Guehi, Jean-Clair Todibo and Leny Yoro in United’s considering. They’re all right-footed, as is Raphael Varane, departing as a free agent on the finish of the month.
In trying to find Varane’s successor, United look like difficult that considering. Few others have tried.
Aymeric Laporte’s France profession by no means occurred as a result of Didier Deschamps refused. Intriguingly, after Laporte switched allegiances to Spain he performed with Pau Torres, additionally left-footed, in three video games at Euro 2020.
Though, the previous Man Metropolis defender was dropped for the semi-final, having seemed awkward in possession on his adopted aspect. There was an analogous consequence in uncommon outings with Nathan Ake at Metropolis, too. Hardly encouraging.
Ethan Pinnock and Ben Mee at Brentford are one other uncommon instance.
Everton knocked again Man Utd’s opening bid
On the floor, the Branthwaite pursuit is puzzling. Extra so when contemplating Erik ten Hag’s reluctance to make use of a right-footed centre-back as Martinez’s understudy, preferring left-back Luke Shaw.
Explaining his considering in 2023, Ten Hag stated: “Because the left-footed are better orientated on the left side, in possession you then have better angles.”
For a lot of the season, Ten Hag refused to play Varane subsequent to Harry Maguire as a result of he felt the group’s fluidity was negatively impacted with one in all them at left centre-back.
Requiring a left-footed centre-back is a comparatively new phenomenon within the Premier League. Not all managers purchase into it, however Ten Hag sees it as a precedence. Martinez is barely 26 and clearly favoured in left centre-back. So why would Ten Hag make an exception right here?
For Everton, the 21-year-old has performed all his video games within the Premier League this season on the left aspect of defence. Nevertheless, if you look additional again in his profession, Branthwaite has expertise on the opposite aspect.
Branthwaite has solely performed on the left aspect of defence for Everton this previous season
Jarrad Branthwaite in motion for PSV in opposition to Arsenal
In a mortgage spell at Dutch aspect PSV Eindhoven in 2022/23, Branthwaite performed 44 per cent of his game-time with no consideration centre-back below United legend Ruud Van Nistelrooy. He additionally crammed in at right-back for a bit.
It is because, regardless of being predominantly left-footed, Branthwaite can play off his proper foot, too. Van Nistelrooy goes a step additional. “He is good on the ball, can play on the left or the right of centre-back because he is two-footed.”
Online game EA FC 24 has given him a five-star weak foot. For context, Victor Lindelof, the right-footed centre-back Ten Hag prefers as left centre-back when pushed, has a four-star weak foot.
Jarrad Branthwaite has impressed for Everton this season
Branthwaite is so two-footed, it appears, that his former academy coach at Carlisle insists we have all bought it unsuitable about which foot comes naturally to the defender. “Jarrad is not left-footed!” Eric Kinder advised the Liverpool Echo earlier this yr. “He’s right-footed, but both feet are exactly the same.”
He added: “It made me laugh when Jamie Carragher said young left-footed centre-backs are hard to find. I laughed.
“When folks would ask me if Jarrad Branthwaite had an opportunity, I might say: ‘He is six-foot 4, he can head the ball and he kicks with each ft. What can go unsuitable?’.”
Kinder’s prediction was nearly spot on. Branthwaite’s ability as a left-footer to play on the right makes him a unique proposition in the transfer market. Thus United’s hurry to sign him.
Martinez and Shaw’s bad luck with injury over the past season has left United without any left-footers in the heart of defence. The addition of Branthwaite would give them a partner for Martinez and a suitable understudy if his problems persist.
The lack of recent experience on the right side of defence does raise question marks, however. The other qualities that Branthwaite brings have clearly encouraged United to take this calculated risk.
Lisandro Martinez missed a lot of the season by way of harm for Man Utd
Branthwaite is snug in possession
Like Martinez, one of many success tales of Ten Hag’s switch dealings, Branthwaite is snug passing out on the again, a high quality that is been lacking for United this season within the Argentine’s absence.
Branthwaite can also be faster than the remainder of United’s central defenders, his giant stride giving him a bonus in foot races with opposition attackers. The 6ft 5in defender’s restoration velocity makes him completely suited to a excessive again line.
We noticed the best way William Saliba allowed Arsenal to remodel their defensive form for related causes when he got here into the primary group.
Branthwaite additionally brings plenty of the identical traits as Varane, the person he would change within the again 4 at Previous Trafford.
In tackles, interceptions, duels received and aerial duels received per 90, Branthwaite comes out on prime. His strengths in these are properly suited to the transitional type of play Ten Hag has tried to implement.
Typically, United’s defenders battle to maintain up with that depth, which is why we have seen that gaping gap in midfield as a result of group concurrently enjoying a low block and a excessive line.
Varane outperforms Branthwaite in share of aerial duels received and share of duels received, however within the latter metric each are within the prime 10 within the Premier League, together with Harry Maguire.
Ten Hag likes to place his defenders one vs one usually, so popping out on prime of these duels is important. For those who’re crushed, the remainder of the group can shortly develop into uncovered, partly explaining the convenience with which groups have performed by way of United this season.
United are contemplating going again in for Branthwaite after seeing a £35m bid rejected by Everton, who worth the defender at £70m. It’s understood United will transfer on if Everton don’t convey down their asking worth.
If they’ll come to an settlement, United may kind one of many few elite left-footed centre-back pairings.
