Everton send £35m message to Man Utd as David Moyes handed new selection headache

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s penny-pinching at Manchester United continues to astound many but perhaps one of the biggest examples of such a shortsighted policy was the club’s parsimonious attempts to sign Everton’s most-valuable player Jarrad Branthwaite last summer. With operating profits down, this week we learned more about Sir Jim’s cost-cutting and having already let legions of club staff go, remaining staff were threatened with the sack if there were any leaks.
It’s always good to keep a tight ship but picking on the ordinary hard-working everyday folks at any football club when the under-achieving supposed superstars on the pitch are failing to deliver seems a cruel and misguided policy.
Perhaps he and his fellow billionaires the Glazers should focus more on the leaks on the dodgy roof at Old Trafford which produces a waterfall feature each time there’s a frequent Mancunian shower but then again, despite Everton having to borrow money to build their new stadium, he seems hell-bent on trying to get someone else to foot the bill in resolving his own ground issues.
Twice United came calling for Branthwaite, who was the Blues’ breakthrough star of last season, but with offers of just £35million plus add ons and then £45million plus add ons, they didn’t come close to reaching a valuation that would have even tempted Goodison Park chiefs.
Although his side would eventually concede two goals, Branthwaite again showed here why he is regarded as one of the brightest defensive prospects in world football with a dominant ‘Rolls-Royce’ display.
February is the shortest month but with five goals in as many games – just four matches if you only include the Premier League – playing under David Moyes, Beto has equalled his tally for 37 outings across the whole of last season under Sean Dyche.
February is the shortest month but with five goals in as many games – just four matches if you only include the Premier League – playing under David Moyes, Beto has equalled his tally for 37 outings across the whole of last season under Sean Dyche.