Man Utd want to 'squeeze' Everton over Jarrad Branthwaite as transfer target makes 'honour' admission

Manchester United’s hard work starts here with the summer transfer window now officially open. Erik ten Hag is staying at Old Trafford for now, but he knows there is virtually no room for error from here on out, with a much better Premier League campaign expected next term.

Changes to the squad will be necessary, though, with a number of players expected to leave, while others will inevitably replace them. In the meantime, we have rounded up all the latest news surrounding Old Trafford.

Branthwaite latest

United have reportedly ramped up their efforts to land Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite. According to The Mirror, the Red Devils believe they can squeeze Everton into selling for just £40million, with claims the player has already given a green, while the Toffees are battling financial issues aplenty due to a failed takeover approach.

Sky Sports have reported that United have made an approach for the centre-back, even if Everton say otherwise, and they should be able to press ahead with negotiations given the defender was cut from England’s Euro 2024 squad. The big question will be over the fee and how firmly Everton are able to stand, given they value the defender at £75million.

Cunha on United links

Wolves star Matheus Cunha is a reported target for United this summer, and the Brazilian has now responded to those links during international duty this summer. Cunha’s response was a rather honest one, with the forward admitting he is flattered by the interest from Old Trafford.

“You know it’s a real honour to have your name linked to Manchester United,” he said. “One of the biggest clubs in the world. But I’m happy at Wolves. If I’m lucky I play another good season, but the window is open you never know.”

Ferdinand on Shaw

Rio Ferdinand has been speaking about Luke Shaw’s future at United amid injury issues aplenty during the season just gone. “They’ve got to get a fit Shaw and Lisandro Martinez next season and games out of them both,” Ferdinand said on his Vibe with FIVE YouTube channel. “I don’t think Shaw could be disgruntled if United said because of his lack of game time over the last course of your time here, we’re going to find another left back.

“I don’t think he could grumble at that. But I think he’s that good when he plays that they will go again [with him].”

Shaw recently opened up on his fitness issues, saying: “No one knows the situation, what’s been happening. Obviously, I think people have seen that there was a setback, but I was actually very close to returning to team training. I think it was the day before. In my opinion, I was pushing to try and get back for the games and the final and I think I pushed too hard.

“I came back too quick and I actually ended up getting another injury in my hamstring, which was a (grade) 2c. That was three weeks from the final and they said it was a six-week injury, so that’s obviously why there was that setback. I think people have been getting confused with what’s actually happened because nothing had ever been said.

“That’s why I did my post. I got a few people coming up to me, saying, ‘How can you not be fit for United and (you can be) for England?’ But the circumstances were that I did push to do everything I want to be fit for United, and that’s been really my whole season. It’s been disappointing for me, but I want to do everything I can, first and foremost, for United. That’s my club, I’ve been there for a long time but, of course, that wasn’t the case, so that was hard to obviously take in the last few weeks. But I’m here now and I’m still not there yet, I’ve still got a while to go, but I’m trying to do everything I can to make it happen.”