Why Erik ten Hag favourite is perfect Man United Jarrad Branthwaite transfer alternative

Manchester United and Erik ten Hag are faced with the unwanted predicament in the transfer window that many Premier League clubs are experiencing. They must be careful with their spending due to the Profit and Sustainability rules (PSR) in the league.

It's no secret that United are going to have to adapt their transfer strategy this summer. Alongside raising as much money from player sales, via the likes of Mason Greenwood and Casemiro, they must improve Ten Hag's squad by being box smart.

Despite the obvious recruitment drive of being measured, INEOS have pushed ahead with their interest for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite. After seeing an opening bid of £43m (including add-ons) turned down by the Toffees, United must now act quickly.

READ MORE: Man United transfer news live Matthijs de Ligt asking price, Mainoo interest, Zubimendi swoop

READ MORE: Manchester United could complete cut-price transfer to seal key objective this summer

Everton's sky-high £70m asking price is currently far too high and reports have indicated that United will move onto alternative targets if no agreement can be struck on realistic terms.

The likes of Marc Guehi, Bremer and Jean-Clair Todibo have all been identified as cheaper alternatives. However, a new name in the mix is Bayern Munich wantaway star Matthijs de Ligt.

After the Bavarians endured a troubling Bundesliga campaign, Vincent Kompany is now at the helm and is overseeing an overhaul of the playing squad. A list of players have reportedly been made available for transfer with De Ligt one of them.

The centre-back joined the club from Juventus for £65.5m in July 2022 but has failed to perform at the same levels he produced at Ajax. And as Man United fans will be aware of, that form came under Ten Hag.

Reports in Germany have suggested Bayern will demand £42m for De Ligt this summer, lower than United's opening bid for Branthwaite. Despite being three years older than the Everton defender, De Ligt should still be a favourable option for United.

Costing significantly less than what the club face paying for Branthwaite, the Netherlands defender has already been a success under the United boss. After coming through the famous Ajax academy, De Ligt appeared 117 times for the first team and was part of the famous side that reached the Champions League semi-final.

A colossal defender with a large build, his ability to defend has never been in doubt. On the ball, United have even more reason to be tempted by his natural ability to work in Ten Hag's system. He ranks in the top 96th percentile in Europe's top five leagues for successful passes with 93.1%, according to FBREF.

Not only that but he ranks in the top 90th percentile for progress passes and 85th percentile for attempted passes. For just £42m, United could do worse.

His working relationship at Ajax with Ten Hag is also pivotal. Next season is a big one for the United boss and he will need as much backing and support from his players as possible. Often, at times, the current crop of players at his disposal have been slammed for showing no responsibility or leadership, something Ten Hag has credited the defender for having in the past.

After a 3-0 win over Feyenoord in 2019, Ten Hag praised the then-Ajax captain for his display. "He was certainly my Man of the Match, also because he blocked Robin van Persie’s shot in the opening phase," he said. "In my view it is always a team performance, but the captain played as a leader today.”

The financial limitations means the Red Devils have to be smart in their recruitment. Spending close to £70m for Branthwaite when a player of De Ligt's quality is available for just over half that figure, perhaps, wouldn't be the smartest decision.