Manchester United looking to sign Branthwaite alternative. He could be one of the best.

This season, he has been on loan at Roma.

Last Saturday marked the ideal conclusion to the 2023–24 season for Manchester United, as they defeated their greatest adversaries, Manchester City, in the FA Cup final. The Red Devils had a challenging campaign, but it concluded in an ideal fashion.

Academy product Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo scored the game-winning goals for Erik ten Hag’s squad, which otherwise performed exceptionally well. It was a resolute defensive performance, and despite Jeremy Doku’s late goal, they withstood City’s unrelenting onslaught admirably.

United qualified for European football for the 2024/25 season on account of this victory, an accomplishment they were unable to accomplish through the Premier League. Ten Hag’s squad finished ninth in the Premier League and needed to win the cup final in order to eliminate Chelsea from Europe and Newcastle from the Europa Conference League, while United secured Europa League qualification.

At minimum, it has provided United with a foundation upon which to construct their approach for the upcoming season. By securing continental football for an additional season, they are better positioned to entice high-profile players to join their ranks in an effort to strengthen their squad for the upcoming campaign. The Red Devils have already been linked to a particular high-rated youth.

The player in issue is Dean Huijsen, a defender on loan from AS Roma who is a subsidiary of the Italian powerhouse Juventus. This season, he has been a revelation at the core of Roma’s defense. United is among the clubs examining him as he considers leaving parent club Juve this summer.

United is reportedly among the clubs interested in signing the Amsterdam-born, 19-year-old Spain under-21 international, who has previously represented the Netherlands at the junior level, as reported by journalist Graeme Bailey.

They will undoubtedly encounter competition for Huijsen’s signature if they decide to pursue him in the summer transfer window. Bailey explains that a number of Premier League clubs “have requested to be updated” on any Huijsen-related transfer developments.

Newcastle United and Chelsea have reportedly inquired about the youth in the past. Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester United have all expressed interest in signing Huijsen this summer. As of yet, no price has been rumored.

Huijsen, who is 19 years old, is not the only talented central defender linked to Manchester United this summer. The Red Devils are “confident,” according to a recent report by Natasha Everitt of TalkSport, in finalizing the deals to acquire Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise.

However, it would be a costly transaction, as Everton could conceivably demand £75 million from United, per ESPN’s Rob Dawson. This circumstance might prompt United to consider acquiring Huijsen, an acceptable substitute. The fact that his manager at Roma, Daniele De Rossi, predicted he could “become one of the best players in the world” indicates that United would be well-advised to acquire him.

Following his loan to Roma during the latter part of the season, Huijsen emerged as a vital member of the I Giallorossi squad. A member of the Serie A squad for thirteen appearances, he recorded one assist and two goals. He was also a member of four clean sheets in the highest division of Italy.

FBref places Huijsen in the top 2% of Serie A center-backs with an astounding 56.03 carries per 90 minutes on average. He is a self-assured ball carrier. This demonstrates how confident he is with the object.

Moreover, with an average of 4.66 clearances per 90 minutes, the 19-year-old is an excellent box defender and ranks in the top 15% of Serie A center-backs. Additionally, Huijsen recovers an average of 1.8 balls every 90 minutes, per SofaScore.

In contrast, according to Fbref, Branthwaite ranks in the top 29% of Premier League center-backs with an average of 4.71 clearances per 90 minutes. However, SofaScore indicates that his 5.2 ball recoveries per 90 minutes are significantly higher than Huijsen’s figures.

United could undoubtedly make a good alternative acquisition by signing Huijsen, who is valued at a mere €10 million (£9 million) by CIES Football Observatory, when Branthwaite’s price is considered. Del Rossi and other luminaries recognize his great potential as an Old Trafford center-back. He is undoubtedly held in high regard by such individuals.