Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to return to Manchester United, who are looking to recruit Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite. Everton are determined to fend off Manchester United’s interest in Jarrad Branthwaite this summer. But the Red Devils are closing up on one of his mentors in Ruud van Nistelrooy. The former striker, who bagged 150 goals for United from 2001-06, is poised to return to Old Trafford as part of fellow Dutchman Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff. And Van Nistelrooy, who is now 47, is well-versed in the Blues’ most valuable asset, having managed Branthwaite during the England international’s season-long loan at PSV Eindhoven.
Everton, who believe they do not intend to lose the defender and are actively planning for him to stay with them next season unless a huge deal comes in, rejected Manchester United’s opening bid of £35 million plus add-ons for him. However, their resolve will be tested by a better deal, with Old Trafford officials said to be still very keen in the centre-back.
If the Carlisle-born star leaves Goodison Park, it appears he will be reunited with Van Nistelrooy, whom he credits with helping him enhance his game during his year in the Netherlands. Branthwaite believes he has returned to the Blues as a much more developed all-round player after a loan spell in the Eredivisie, thanks in large part to the masterclass in attacking play he had to face in training against his coach Van Nistelrooy, who broke the 20-goal barrier in four of his five seasons in England with United.
Last season, Branthwaite told the ECHO: “As a striker, Ruud knew what defenders didn’t like, so he was always giving me minor pointers on body postures and how to defend against different types of strikers, which helped me a lot. The entire experience matured me as a player and a man, and I returned a much better player than I was a year ago. “After games, we’d return to the training site and look at the laptops where we’d watch the games. There would be slight differences in body type between different strikers, whether they were huge or quick on the half-turn, ready to go in behind.
“That’s something I’ve learnt a lot about, and it’s definitely helped me come back here because when you’re playing a high line, you have to be ready to turn but also ready to confront a striker. So it’s really helped me.”
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