Jamie Carragher has spoken glowingly about one of Manchester United's rumoured top transfer targets, describing him as "pretty special".

Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite is enjoying a breakthrough season, establishing himself as a regular at centre-back alongside James Tarkowski and making 26 appearances in all competitions.

The left-footed defender has been playing with maturity beyond his years and

There have been calls for Branthwaite to be fast-tracked in the England squad, while the 21-year-old has also been linked with a number of big clubs.

Everton will no doubt command a huge fee for their prized asset but former Liverpool defender Carragher is convinced he is the real deal.

Speaking on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, he said: "I think he is [special]. And what is really special as well is the amount of centre-backs we have in the Premier League aged 21 or younger.

"I remember being a young lad going in myself at Liverpool and it's an unforgiven position, I had to go to full-back for the next three or four years and then go back to centre-back, so you can see the quality we have.

"Branthwaite has been outstanding, Murillo I think has been outstanding. But I think this lad has been pretty special and he's a big part of why in my eyes Everton still have a great chance of staying up, him and his partnership with [James] Tarkowski."

Also controversially linked with Liverpool, Branthwaite signed a new four-year deal in October.