- Man Utd need to swoop for Adam Wharton
- Crystal Palace star is shining
- England midfielder could be one of three signings
Manchester United should reconsider its decision to cool interest in Adam Wharton amid the Crystal Palace star’s superb season. The Red Devils were thought to have been eyeing the England midfielder ahead of their midfield rebuild.
Reports in April claimed that United had started to place Wharton further down their wishlist. They felt the Palace man’s profile was too similar to Kobbie Mainoo’s.
The 22-year-old is one of English football’s gems and he played a key role in Palace’s Conference League triumph. The Eagles prevailed with a 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano in the final on Wednesday night.
Why not Wharton?
Wharton enjoyed a Man of the Match performance, pulling the strings for Oliver Glasner’s side. He forced the winner when his long-range effort was parried, and Jean-Philippe Mateta pounced from close range.
The former Blackburn Rovers youngster is in high demand amid top-quality displays at Selhurst Park. He has just over three years left on his contract, and Palace are reportedly keen to keep hold of him for one more year.
United’s top target to replace Casemiro is Elliot Anderson but the Nottingham Forest midfielder looks increasingly likely to join Manchester City. Other names on the club’s radar include Aurelien Tchouameni and Carlos Baleba.
Wharton isn’t a domineering defensive midfielder like those two, but he is a sensational deep-lying playmaker. Neither he nor Daichi Kamada are predominantly a holding midfielder, and a partnership with Mainoo could work under Michael Carrick.
That’s also not to say that Wharton isn’t defensively sound, and his all-round game is impressive. He made five recoveries and made two key passes in Palace’s win over Vallecano.
Three different profiles
United should ideally be making three midfield signings and they seem to be closing in on Atalanta’s Ederson. The club have reportedly agreed on a £38m deal with the Serie A outfit for the Brazilian.
That fee should allow the transfer chiefs to swoop for a marquee signing to replace Casemiro. If Tchouameni and Anderson are unattainable, Wharton should be a top priority.
Wharton could thrive in Carrick’s midfield and take up the six position to allow Bruno Fernandes to play further up the pitch. His defensive abilities deserve more appreciation and the Reds need a strong squad to compete in Europe and domestically.
Replacing Casemiro can still be a focus, and Baleba seems a possibility. Bringing Ederson, Wharton and Baleba to Old Trafford would be a way to overhaul Carrick’s midfield by adding three distinct profiles.
