Man Utd Have Found Perfect Martinez Replacement in Jarrad Branthwaite

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez looks to be on his way out of Old Trafford after his stunning outburst against INEOS and technical director Jason Wilcox.

The Argentina defender spoke out after the club’s 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, claiming that he felt him, the team, and manager Michael Carrick had been let down by the club hierarchy in the transfer window, and admitted that he felt the club wasn’t good enough to be competing at the top level.

The statement has left many believing that the World Cup winner is looking for a way out of Manchester, with his current contract at the club due to expire in the summer of 2028.

United have already begun planning for a defensive rebuild next summer, with Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw out of contract at the end of this campaign, and a new left-back and at least one new centre-back are expected to be prioritised in the transfer window.

Lewis Hall has been earmarked as the top target at left-back, despite the fact he has now signed a new long-term contract with Newcastle, but centre-back has seen an abundance of options linked with a potential switch to Old Trafford.

One player who is a long-term target for INEOS and Man Utd is Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite, and the situation involving Martinez now feels as though it is perfectly balanced for the Englishman to come in and take his spot.

Branthwaite was a target for INEOS back in 2023, with bids in excess of £50m made to Everton for his services. But the Toffees held firm and refused to sell at that price, with Man Utd instead making a move to bring in Leny Yoro from Lille to strengthen their options.

But the 24-year-old has continued to improve at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, making his England debut earlier this month, and United are now ready to make a fresh move to bring him in.

Martinez Future at Man Utd Looks Bleak

While Martinez is arguably the best centre-back at Man Utd at the moment, his future now looks very bleak.

He has struggled for form this season, has now spoken out against the board, and his contract situation means a sale at the end of the season is very likely, considering his age and stance on the board.

A move for Branthwaite would be the ideal solution to replacing him, with the 6ft 5 defender being strong, quick, and left-footed, which would see him slot perfectly into the starting lineup in Martinez’s place. He’s young enough to keep improving, but clearly has the quality to make an immediate impact.

If the club were able to bring him in it would arguably be an upgrade in the long run, but it would also mean that an unhappy star will almost certainly be on the move.