JARRAD BRANTHWAITE’S PLEA: EVERTON STAR FIGHTS FOR "DREAM" WORLD CUP SPOT AFTER SURGERY
Late surge: Discover how Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite plans to win over Thomas Tuchel for a 2026 World Cup squad spot.
Jarrad Branthwaite isn’t giving up on his World Cup dream, even though he’s only started three Premier League games this season. The Everton centre-back picked up a bad hamstring injury in pre-season, then had to have surgery in October after a setback.
He’s back on the pitch now, but Thomas Tuchel still hasn’t called him up for England. Still, Branthwaite thinks there’s a shot at a late spot in the squad for this summer’s tournament. He’s determined to finish the season strong.
“That’s the goal,” he said. “That’s what I aimed for at the start of the season. It won’t be easy.
“All I can do is play well every game and give myself the best shot.”
So far, Branthwaite’s only England appearance was as a substitute against Bosnia and Herzegovina in June 2024. He calls this season “very disappointing".
“Missing so much time really messed with the momentum I built over the past couple of years,” he said. “I hope that’s behind me now. I want to get going again, stay fit, and push for the World Cup squad.”
He keeps coming back to the same thing: “That was my aim from the beginning. It’s going to be tough. All I can do is keep performing and give myself the best chance.”
He knows the challenge. “I’ve missed so much football, so it comes down to what I do on the pitch now. That’s what gives me a shot at making it.”
Branthwaite’s been around the England squads before, and the thought of going to a World Cup still feels huge. “It would be a dream to play at the World Cup, to just be there,” he said. “But, as I said, it’s all about my performances from now until the season ends. That’s what gives me a chance.”
DERBY OUTRAGE: PETER BANKES DOUBLES DOWN ON DISALLOWED KOLO MUANI GOAL DESPITE MASSIVE CRITICISM
Referee verdict: Discover why Peter Bankes disallowed Kolo Muani’s goal and Keith Hackett’s "stupid and soft" reaction.
Referee Peter Bankes stood by his call to disallow Randal Kolo Muani’s equaliser in the North London derby, calling it “a very, very clear offence.”
The moment sparked outrage. Gabriel, Arsenal’s defender, hit the deck after Muani’s challenge in the box. Former Premier League referees’ chief Keith Hackett didn’t hold back, calling the decision “stupid and soft".
Bankes didn’t hesitate. He blew for a foul, ruled out the goal, and VAR stayed out of it, even as Spurs fans fumed. That goal would’ve levelled it at 2-2.
Bankes explained on the Match Officials Mic’d Up show: “I was exactly where I needed to be for a cross from the right. I saw the Tottenham player put two hands into the back of the Arsenal player. That’s what grabbed my attention. When you see that live, it looks like a straightforward push – a clear foul.
“I held off on the whistle to let play run, then made the call after the ball went in. That way, VAR could step in if I’d missed something or if it looked off. But honestly, on the pitch, it looked obvious.
“I’m still comfortable with my decision. Sure, things can look different at different speeds; slow motion isn’t the same as seeing it live. But I got one look, and I was confident the two hands on the back had enough impact to be a foul.
“I know people will split on this, but I’m comfortable. That’s a free kick for me.”
The decision was a huge break for Arsenal, who ended up winning 4-1. As far as Spurs fans were concerned, Gabriel got away with one.
Ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher backed Bankes up: “The on-field decision always stands. The ref saw enough for a push. VAR isn’t going to overturn that when the evidence is there.”
THE GIBBS-WHITE PROJECT: WHY MANCHESTER UNITED SEE THE FOREST STAR AS THEIR NEXT PLAYMAKER
United transfer hub. Get the report on wage bill cuts, the Forest playmaker, and City’s rival interest.
Manchester United still have a bit of a wait before the summer transfer window opens, but talk around Old Trafford is already heating up. People keep linking United with all kinds of new signings for when the season wraps up.
Michael Carrick has made quite the impression as United’s interim head coach so far. The club handed him the reins until the end of the season, and honestly, he’s done well with the opportunity.
Still, no one really knows who’ll be in charge next season. That uncertainty just adds fuel to the rumours about which players United will chase in the transfer market.
Right now, everything hinges on Champions League qualification. United sit fourth in the Premier League after a 1-0 win over Everton on Monday night. That spot could make all the difference for summer plans.
Morgan Gibbs-White's claim
Now, United have reportedly joined the hunt for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White. The Daily Mail says United are keeping an eye on the Forest playmaker, maybe even lining up a summer move.
But there’s a snag: United want to bring down their wage bill, and that could make signing Gibbs-White tricky.
Manchester City are also said to be interested, and Tottenham apparently tried to sign the 26-year-old with a £60 million offer, but that move fell apart.
Man United's Scott McTominay stance
As for Scott McTominay, it sounds like United aren’t planning a reunion. Despite recent talk about bringing the Napoli midfielder back, TEAMtalk reports United aren’t interested, and the idea hasn’t even come up in the recruitment department.
Napoli now values McTominay at close to £70 million, just a year and a half after he left United for around £25 million. He made the move to Italy in the summer of 2024 and, in his first season, helped Napoli win the Serie A title.
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