Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is understood to be on Manchester United’s radar as they eye a midfield overhaul.
Manchester United proved in the summer transfer window their pull remains one of the strongest in world football. On the back of their worst season in Premier League history, and without Champions League football, the Reds looked to be facing an uphill battle as they planned their mammoth overhaul.
And yet, they still managed to attract three new attackers and a goalkeeper who have improved their squad from last season. It is not perfect yet for United – far from it – but they do look better than they did in 2024/25 and they are at least looking towards the top end of the table, rather than the bottom.
The next area of improvement for the Reds is midfield. Casemiro’s future at the club is unclear but even if he stays the Brazilian will need to be replaced as United look to lower the age of their starting XI.
Plus, speculation surrounding the future of Kobbie Mainoo means a player like Adam Wharton could be ideal for the Reds next season. The Crystal Palace midfielder has shown he can cut it in the Premier League as a playmaker as well as a defensive-minded player should he be called upon to do that job.
The concern in targeting Wharton has been the fear United would not be able to compete with some of the clubs who are also likely to be chasing his signature. However, in an interview with talkSPORT, his agent James Featherstone has told United what they need to do to sign him.
“When he was at Blackburn we sat down and spoke about shooting for the stars and playing for England,” Featherstone explained. “So how do you get there? Personally I think to play for England you have to play Champions League, to play in the Champions League you have got to play for one of the top teams in one of the top leagues.
“That jump to a Champions League team, I think you can get lost. The plan below that was to play for a Premier League team – we have got a plan.
“He is 21. I have to check myself to remember that every now and then. It doesn’t have to be achieved yesterday, today or this moment.
“He has got his in-game, in-season targets and goals. He has got to do his bit and the rest will look after itself in a very structured, calm way to ultimately add value and maximise his ability.”
Clearly Wharton’s target is to be competing in the Champions League, and while United have looked miles off it at times in recent weeks, it’s easy to forget that they are still within touching distance of a Champions League qualification spot.
United are 12th in the Premier League but the table is so congested that a few wins really would put them in the conversation for a top four spot, with fifth possibly even enough to secure a place in the Champions League. The problem is consistency is something United are struggling to find.
If they want to sign players of Wharton’s quality then they need to find it.
