MANCHESTER UNITED target Jarrad Branthwaite is said to be considering his future after being snubbed for Thomas Tuchel’s maiden England squad.
Branthwaite, 22, made his one and only Three Lions cap to date in international friendlies last March under Gareth Southgate.
The Everton centre-back was a surprise omission from England’s Euro 2024 squad and had to watch from home as the squad limped its way to the final before being beaten by Spain.
Branthwaite had then missed the Autumn Uefa Nations League fixtures under interim boss Lee Carsley due to a groin injury.
He said his exclusion last summer had given him motivation to get back into the senior team.
However, new boss Tuchel did not name him for World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia, instead being picked by Carsley in the Under-21s.
The exclusion has prompted Branthwaite to further consider his future with Everton, according to Sky Sports.
Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham and Manchester United are all keen on his signature.
But SunSport’s Man Utd files revealed the Red Devils will only make a move for him if they qualify for the Champions League next season.
The only realistic route into the competition for Ruben Amorim’s side will be through winning the Europa League.
Branthwaite is valued at more than £50million by the Toffees, and he is understood to be determined to pursue any move that would allow him to play in the Champions League.
This would in turn further add to his case to return to the England senior team.
He confirmed to BBC Sport that he was one of 55 individual players Tuchel had spoken to on the phone.
On the ex-Chelsea boss, Branthwaite said: “It is nice to have that connection with the new manager and to know he is watching you play and lets you know how you have done.”
England ratings vs Albania as Lewis-Skelly enjoys dream debut but Tuchel fails to solve Foden issue
By Tom Barclay
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY made history and Harry Kane extended his own record-breaking as England sunk Albania in Thomas Tuchel’s first game.
Lewis-Skelly became the youngest player to score on his Three Lions debut and top goal-getter Kane notched his 70th international strike as Tuchel began his World Cup qualifying campaign with a modest 2-0 win.
New boy Dan Burn partnered Ezri Konsa in central defence at Wembley, while Marcus Rashford and Curtis Jones were also handed starts.
Meanwhile, Tuchel wrestled with the same issue faced by predecessor Sir Gareth Southgate – deciding where to fit in Phil Foden.
Left-back Lewis-Skelly, 18, slotted home on 20 minutes following a delightful turn and even better pass from Jude Bellingham.
But England stuttered after the break – until skipper Kane classily took down a Declan Rice pass and curved home the clincher.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated the Three Lions in German manager Tuchel’s opening match…
Read the full article here