MANCHESTER UNITED are plotting a fresh bid for Jarrad Branthwaite – after learning their new signing Leny Yoro is unlikely to play again this year.
The teenager picked up an injury in United’s pre-season friendly against Arsenal.
And although he took to social media earlier this week to vow he will come back “stronger”, United don’t expect the player to be available again until January.
It’s a major setback for the club who had planned to use Yoro in the first team when the season kicks off next weekend.
Now, United could try to plug the gap by launching a new approach for Everton’s star man.
Earlier this summer United made an initial offer of £35million plus £8m in add-ons which was rejected by the Toffees because they were reportedly holding out for £70m for the 21-year-old.
But it’s believed an offer of £50m could interest Everton, and United may be prepared to go that far in order to land a player who was included in Gareth Southgate’s provisional England squad for Euro 2024, but did not make the final cut.
Branthwaite would be able to slot into United’s first team immediately.
And a Red Devils source believes he and Yoro could go on to be a central defensive pairing which United can build their team around.
It would however place a huge question mark over the future of Harry Maguire, who almost left United last summer to join West Ham.
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United’s management are dismayed at losing Yoro who joined from Lille last month in a deal worth up to £58.7million. The teenager suffered an immediate setback after injuring his foot in just his second appearance for his new club.
The 18-year-old underwent successful surgery last Monday and he has thanked fans for their messages of support.
In a post on social media, Yoro wrote: “This is not the start I wanted, but that’s football… The operation went well.”
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