Manchester United are trying to sign two players in one with latest transfer move

On the face of it, trying to sign a central defender who spent virtually all of last season playing on the left doesn't make a lot of sense for Manchester United. The value of the incumbent for that position was demonstrated once again on FA Cup final day.

In a season plagued by injuries, Erik ten Hag missed Lisandro Martinez more than any other player. The absence of a left-footed centre-back hurt the balance of the side while nobody else is capable of receiving and playing the ball under such pressure in the defensive third of the pitch.

Martinez makes such a difference to United, but a string of injuries kept his involvement down to just 896 minutes and 11 starts last season. When he returned in the final weeks of the campaign the team looked a lot better and the Argentine was vital at Wembley.

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Change is coming at centre-back this season. Raphael Varane has already left and at least one of Victor Lindelof or Harry Maguire could be sold. Ten Hag has wanted to field all three of them on the right when they've played.

So an opening offer of £43m for Jarrad Branthwaite, the impressive Everton central defender, looks slightly confusing given he played on the left of a central defensive pairing for the Toffees. United don't need competition for Martinez, they need a partner for him.

But the 21-year-old was utilised on that side by Sean Dyche because that is where the gap in his defence was. This is actually a centre-back from Cumbria who is equally happy on his right foot as he is on his left and is considered one of the most two-footed players in the Premier League.

He has played as a