Everton boss Sean Dyche has not ruled out Jarrad Branthwaite being fit for the start of the season despite injury limiting his pre-season.

The Cumbrian star has not yet played for the Toffees during their build-up to the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

Dyche has described injuries to Branthwaite and other senior players as “not serious” and hopes the 22-year-old can be at least close to availability when Everton kick off against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday week.

“He is making good progress all of a sudden. He had a bit of a slow spell and now it is beginning to move forward, so hopefully,” said Dyche, via the Liverpool Echo.

“He will certainly be in and around it. I am not saying he will definitely be fit but he will certainly be in and around it.”

England international Branthwaite looks set to start the campaign with Everton despite a summer of strong transfer speculation.

The ex-Carlisle United defender, from Wigton, has been persistently linked with a move to Manchester United.

But a deal has not yet materialised after the Red Devils saw two bids turned down.

Liverpool legend John Barnes has now questioned whether Old Trafford would be the right destination for a top young player such as Branthwaite.

He suggested Man Utd lacks the “harmony” that would make it the ideal move.

“What United have to do is to get that right before they're talking about signing players for £70 million and young players who are inexperienced,” Barnes told MyBettingSites.co.uk.

“He [Branthwaite] can’t go to United like Jadon Sancho went there for a big fee and the harmony isn’t right.

John Barnes has commented on the prospects of Branthwaite moving to Man UtdJohn Barnes has commented on the prospects of Branthwaite moving to Man Utd (Image: PA)

"I think that for any player they have to think hard, hard about going to United. Particularly young players who are inexperienced." 

“It's a great club, but it just may be the wrong time. And if they're looking for young players to come here to change that situation, that's not what's going to happen.

“The unity within the club from top to bottom has to change, fans included.

“Going to a club like United with the disunity, the harmony not being right in the collective  and the spirit within the club won’t be a good move for anybody at this moment in time.

“Particularly if he’s now getting into the England squad. He’s not going to go there and automatically change things at United."