Man Utd shortlist Premier League duo as KEY summer transfer targets

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 6 Feb 2024 20:04 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United are reportedly set to prioritise Jarrad Branthwaite and Michael Olise this summer as their recruitment revamp continues.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is now in charge of all football activity at Old Trafford, including transfers, and Ineos’ data-led approach has seen them target both Paul Mitchell and Dan Ashwroth as new sporting directors.

The new Man Utd minority owner is aiming to reduce Erik ten Hag’s impact on signings following several disappointing additions since his arrival in 2022.

According to iNews, Branthwaite and Olise are both on Man Utd’s radar as they look to improve the squad available to Ten Hag.

Michael Olise and Jarrad Branthwaite to Man Utd?

Antony has failed to live up to his €95 million price tag since arriving from Ajax and Olise is viewed as an upgrade on the Brazilian.

While Olise has six goals and three assists in just 755 Premier League minutes so far this season, Antony is yet to register a single goal or assist in the competition in 2023-24. Remarkably, Mark Flekken’s assist for Neal Maupay versus Manchester City on Monday night means he has more Premier League goal involvements than Antony this campaign.

Olise recently suffered another injury setback after being rushed back to full fitness, and this may play a role in his potential availability this summer, however.

As for Branthwaite, he has been admired by the Man Utd hierarchy for some time, with his performances catching the eyes of many Premier League clubs. As revealed by FootballTransfers, Tottenham Hotspur were interested in signing Branthwaite and Radu Dragusin in January, but they opted for the latter.

Ineos hope to end Man Utd’s long wait for a Premier League title and are aiming to rectify the club’s poor recent transfer strategy by focusing more on statistics and data.

Olise and Branthwaite have therefore been targeted as the Red Devils look to sign two of the English top flight’s very best young talents.