MANCHESTER UNITED are keeping an eye on Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite as a possible replacement for the injured Lisandro Martinez.
Martinez underwent a second surgery on his broken metatarsal on Monday after testing revealed that it had not healed properly.
Argentina’s defender, 25, had returned to duty in April after undergoing first surgery.
However, he suffered foot soreness versus Arsenal last month.
Martinez subsequently played against Brighton and Bayern Munich before realizing things weren’t getting any better, and United revealed he’d have surgery again.
Martinez will now be out till the New Year as he attempts to resolve the issue once and for all.
Even if Martinez recovers sooner, his injury problems will compel United to look for a replacement center-back in the January transfer window.
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According to the Daily Mail, Toffees player Branthwaite is on Erik ten Hag’s radar.
However, the 21-year-old defender has had his own injury issues.
Branthwaite revealed earlier this year that he suffers from Osgood-Schlatter disease, which causes increasing pains.
And he stated that he nearly left football at the age of 16 because “his knees were gone.”
Harry Maguire’s future at the club is uncertain, while Raphael Varane’s fitness record indicates that more depth is required.
The Everton defender will be joined on the Red Devils’ shortlist by Benfica’s Antonio Silva, Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba.
Branthwaite had a standout season on loan from Everton to PSV Eindhoven last season.
PSV intended to sign him on a permanent basis this season, and Manchester City is among the English clubs keeping a watch on his progress.
Branthwaite is in contract talks with Everton, but that is unlikely to deter interest in the player if he continues to shine.
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