Manchester United are lining up a shock move for Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton as they gear up for a midfield reshuffle. United had looked to bolster in the middle of the park over the summer but were rebuffed in their efforts to sign Brighton's Carlos Baleba. However, they have since turned their attention to Wharton, with Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro both on the Old Traffford chopping block.
Getty Images SportUnited targeted Premier League midfielder over the summer
United spent big over the summer, bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens in a bid to improve upon their worst ever Premier League season. The Manchester powerhouse finished 15th as the club continues to go through a tumultuous period in what is a far cry from their dominance at home and abroad under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ruben Amorim was keen on adding a midfielder to the squad, but United were unable to strengthen in the middle of the park and the lack of investment in a key area has been telling. Indeed, they currently sit 10th in the Premier League after their 2-0 win over Sunderland prior to the international break as they kept their first clean sheet of the season.
Last season's Europa League runners' up had pushed to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton but a move for the Seagulls star failed to come to fruition and some reports had suggested that United would make another move for the youngster at the turn of the year.
AdvertisementWharton would fix problem position
However, United are believed to have turned their attention to Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton. The 21-year-old has established himself as one of the best ball progressors in the Premier League following his move to Selhurst Park from Blackburn in 2024.
And with his stock continuing to soar, Wharton has a number of high-profile admirers, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid all supposedly keeping tabs on the youngster. United, though, are looking to steal a march on their rivals as they look to bolster a problem position.
United have struggled to control games this season, with the midfield partnership of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro coming in for criticism from fans and pundits alike. Casemiro, whose contract is up at the end of the current campaign, and Kobbie Mainoo both face the Old Trafford chopping block, with the latter linked with a January exit as he looks to rescue his chances of making the England squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Getty Images SportUnited readying £60m bid for Wharton
According to reports, United believe that a bid of £60m will be enough to convince Palace to sell Wharton, though it's likely the Eagles will demand a much higher fee in order to come to the negotiating table. Wharton, who was part of England's Euro 2024 squad but has made just one Three Lions appearance to date owing to injuries, has been instrumental since swapping Lancashire for London last year.
Wharton was crucial as Palace won the FA Cup in May, the club's first major piece of silverware in their history, and followed that up with the Community Shield as they beat Liverpool on penalties back in the season curtain raiser. The ease with which he transitioned to Oliver Glasner's favoured 3-4-2-1 setup in the capital is also an appealing quality for Amorim, whose own three-man system is failing to reap the rewards.
Amorim is believed to be a huge fan of Wharton, who he believes has the technical qualities to succeed for United.
Where next for Casemiro and Mainoo?
Mainoo was crucial for England at Euro 2024, but his career has nosedived since playing a starring role in the Three Lions' progression to the European Championship final last year. The 20-year-old has struggled to build on his success on the international stage and has registered just 113 minutes of league action across five sub appearances for United this season.
The young midfielder had hoped to leave Old Trafford over the summer as he sought regular action yet any exit was blocked as United failed to strengthen in the middle of the park. Mainoo, though, is set to depart United in the New Year as he looks to breathe life into his World Cup hopes.
Mainoo may become the latest United outcast to depart for Napoli when the transfer window opens. Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund have both enjoyed a career renaissance since swapping Manchester for Naples under Antonio Conte, with the former instrumental in Napoli's Scudetto triumph last season.
Casemiro is another set for an Old Trafford exit before long with his contract up at the end of the season. United have the option to extend his deal for a year, but may be willing to cut their losses on the Brazilian, who is now considered a divisive figure among supporters after a strong start to life at Old Trafford having been key in the club's EFL Cup success in his debut season at the club.