'Bodied by Haaland' - Man Utd target flops on transfer audition

Tom Weber

• Updated: 10 Feb 2024 15:03 GMT
• 4 min read

Everton may have lost 2-0 to Man City, but some fans won't mind this result if it means Jarrad Branthwaite stays for another year.

The Toffees defender is one of Europe's most in-demand defenders, but he did not have the best of times up against the machine that is Erling Haaland. The Norwegian sharpshooter netted a brace, with his second goal particularly impressive as he simply muscled 6'5" Branthwaite to the ground while speeding past him.

Despite the result, Everton fans on social media rejoiced, believing that this performance means that big clubs may stay away from him in the summer. The game against the treble winners and the unstoppable Haaland was seen as a transfer audition of sorts for the 21-year-old, who is being courted by Man Utd and Real Madrid.

Unfortunately, Branthwaite flopped when it mattered most despite managing to keep a clean sheet until relatively late in the game. The youngster was outshone by his centre-back partner James Tarkowski and FootballCritic gave him a match score of just 5.9.

Of course, one below-par game does not mean that the young defender is suddenly a bad player. However, the reaction of Everton fans has been quite hilarious...