Sam Allardyce shocked by Man Utd’s failure to land top transfer target and adds ‘it was a ‘big, big miss’

SAM ALLARDYCE is still shocked with Manchester United being unable to sign Everton ace Jarrad Branthwaite.

United tried to sign Branthwaite, 22, during the summer and saw a £50million bid rejected by the Toffees.

The Red Devils went on to endure their worst ever Premier League start that also saw them conceding 12 goals in their first 10 matches in the English top flight.

Allardyce, 70, claims the Manchester giants missed out “big” by not pushing harder for the highly-rated centre-back.

The ex-England manager believes Man Utd could have sealed a “bargain buy” considering the Merseysiders’ financial struggles.

Allardyce told the Football Accumulators ‘No Tippy Tappy Football’ podcast: “It was a big surprise that nobody spent the money on him in the summer, a left-footed centre-half, particularly at Manchester United.

“You’d have thought that whoever wanted a centre-half who’s proven himself to be able to play in the Premier League, and his capabilities are getting even better.

“It was a big, big miss for a lot of those big clubs. With Everton’s financial problems, somebody thought they could nick him at a bargain buy.”

Branthwaite recently returned to action for Everton after overcoming a groin injury.

The defender has amassed a total of four appearances in the Premier League this season.

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

United are now set for a new era under new manager Ruben Amorim, who takes over on Monday when he leaves Sporting Lisbon.

Amorim is set to switch Man Utd’s formation to three defenders at the back.

Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will oversee Sunday’s Prem clash with Leicester at Old Trafford.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk