Manchester United are keeping an eye on one English midfielder as the summer window draws closer, with Rio Ferdinand a major fan of the young player.
This summer window is one of the biggest in Manchester United’s long history, and they really and truly have to get it right in the market. INEOS will be under pressure to perform and come up with the goods, and failure to do so could set the club back decades.
Midfield is an area that needs strengthening very clearly. Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes, as well as Casemiro, have performed well this season, but more depth is needed in the deeper midfield positions. This is expected to be something Ruben Amorim will want addressed when the window opens.
There are a number of targets that the club could decide to go for, but none perhaps suit what they are trying to then a certain English midfielder that Rio Ferdinand referred to as the next Michael Carrick.
It’s a huge name to bestow on such a young midfielder, but if you spend more than five minutes watching Adam Wharton, it’s not hard to see where that comparison has come from.
United eyeing potential Wharton move
United are reportedly keeping an eye on the Crystal Palace midfielder. This is according to CaughtOffside, who believe there is substance in the belief that the side from Old Trafford are keen on making a move for the 21-year-old.
Ferdinand’s praise for the Palace midfielder was huge, as the former United defender compared the up-and-coming talent to his ex-teammate, Michael Carrick.
Speaking about Wharton, Ferdinand said the following: “Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton – I’d go and get him.
“The reason why I’d take him is he’s one that can take the ball and transfer it through the middle of the pitch.
“He’s got a great range of passing. I think he’d be a great addition to the squad, a young English talent as well. He’s like Carrick sometimes, the way he slaps the ball about.”
The report suggests the player is currently not that close to signing a new deal at his current club at present, which opens the door for a potential summer move to United or another club.
Wharton would be top edition
Adam Wharton would be a major addition to Manchester United’s midfield. United need a tempo setter, and Wharton is one of the best on the market at zipping passes to his teammates and controlling the tempo of a game.
Wharton is suited to playing in a back-three system under Oliver Glasner, which means the transition into Amorim’s 3-4-3 will be a lot easier for him.
The price may be the only stumbling block in the club’s pursuit of the 21-year-old, but no matter what Palace demands for Wharton, it’s hard to say it wouldn’t be worth it.
Wharton and Mainoo would be a dynamic midfield duo, and with the likes of Matheus Cunha and Liam Delap also set to be coming in, it could be an exciting Premier League-themed window for the red side of Manchester.
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