Ruud van Nistelrooy can help push through £70m Man United transfer in first task under Erik Ten Hag

Manchester United's transfer pursuit of Jarrad Branthwaite has somewhat stalled over the last seven days. After seeing an initial bid worth £43m turned down by Everton, what's next for the England international is unknown.

The centre-back has been identified as Erik ten Hag's number one priority to bolster his defence ahead of next season but his £70m valuation remains problematic.

Reports have suggested that the player wants a move to Old Trafford but should the two teams fail to come to some sort of agreement, he will remain on Merseyside.

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Alternatives continue to be drawn up by the recruitment sector at United but the focus on testing Everton's resolve with an improved offer remains. However, revelations over a potential signing in Ten Hag's coaching staff could help get the deal over the line.

Former Red Devils forward Ruud van Nistelrooy has been offered the chance to be part of the coaching group next season. The Dutchman, who is also a strong candidate to become the new Burnley head coach, has been out of work since he left PSV Eindhoven in 2023.

Should Van Nistelrooy decide to return to Old Trafford, it would add further incentive for Branthwaite to push for a deal. The centre-back previously opened up about the positive impact his former manager had on his rise to the top level.

His debut campaign as a first-choice defender at Goodison Park came off the back of a loan spell with PSV, where he made 36 appearances across all competitions, under Van Nistelrooy. "He was brilliant for me," the Wigton native said last year.

"At the midpoint in the season, I hadn’t played as much as I would have liked. I had a clause in my contract where I could have come back here [to Everton] and, having hardly played, I said I wasn’t not sure what I was going to do.

"He sat me down for half an hour and said I was going to play every game in the second half of the season. At the time, I was like, ‘You can say that, but how am I meant to believe you?’ We were on a winter break, I was on holiday, and he kept ringing me every day, saying, ‘Trust me, you are going to play.’"

While Van Nistelrooy's influence on transfers is expected to be minimal, his presence on the training field could be incredibly helpful for United and Branthwaite.