Manchester United have Jarrad Brantwhaite high 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. Standard knowledge dictates that it simply does not work, although, up till just lately, there was no such situation 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 seem 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 regarded awkward in possession on his adopted aspect. There was an identical final result in uncommon outings with Nathan Ake at Metropolis, too. Hardly encouraging.
Reece 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 mentioned: “As a result of the left-footed are higher oriented on the left aspect, in possession you then have higher angles.”
For a lot of the season, Ten Hag refused to play Varane subsequent to Harry Maguire as a result of he felt the crew’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. Nonetheless, while 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 towards 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 stuffed in at right-back for a bit.
It’s because, regardless of being predominantly left-footed, Branthwaite can play off his proper foot, too. Van Nistelrooy goes a step additional. “He’s good on the ball, can play on the left or the precise of centre-back as a result of he’s 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 acquired it flawed about which foot comes naturally to the defender. “Jarrad just isn’t left-footed!” Eric Kinder instructed the Liverpool Echo earlier this yr. “He is right-footed, however each ft are precisely the identical.”
He added: “It made me chortle when Jamie Carragher mentioned younger left-footed centre-backs are arduous to search out. I laughed.
“When individuals would ask me if Jarrad Branthwaite had an opportunity, I’d say: ‘He is six-foot 4, he can head the ball and he kicks with each ft. What can go flawed?’.”
Kinder’s prediction was almost spot on. Branthwaite’s capability as a left-footer to play on the precise makes him a novel proposition within the switch market. Thus United’s hurry to signal him.
Martinez and Shaw’s dangerous luck with damage over the previous season has left United with none left-footers within the coronary heart of defence. The addition of Branthwaite would give them a accomplice for Martinez and an appropriate understudy if his issues persist.
The shortage of current expertise on the precise aspect of defence does elevate query marks, nevertheless. The opposite qualities that Branthwaite brings have clearly inspired United to take this calculated danger.
Lisandro Martinez missed many of the season by damage 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 crew.
Branthwaite additionally brings a variety of the identical traits as Varane, the person he would exchange within the again 4 at Previous Trafford.
In tackles, interceptions, duels gained and aerial duels gained per 90, Branthwaite comes out on high. His strengths in these are effectively suited to the transitional fashion of play Ten Hag has tried to implement.
Usually, United’s defenders wrestle to maintain up with that depth, which is why we have seen that gaping gap in midfield because of the crew concurrently taking part in a low block and a excessive line.
Varane outperforms Branthwaite in share of aerial duels gained and share of duels gained, however within the latter metric each are within the high 10 within the Premier League, together with Harry Maguire.
Ten Hag likes to place his defenders one vs one typically, so popping out on high of these duels is significant. In case you’re crushed, the remainder of the crew can rapidly turn into uncovered, partly explaining the benefit with which groups have performed by 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 might kind one of many few elite left-footed centre-back pairings.
