Manchester United’s summer rebuild continues at pace as they search for the final pieces to complement Ruben Amorim’s evolving side.
Having already spent in excess of £200m on Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško, United have shown clear intent to strengthen in attack.
Yet despite the influx of firepower, questions remain over midfield balance – particularly in terms of athleticism, ball progression and controlling matches against top opposition.
Amorim has made no secret of his desire for an additional central midfielder capable of dictating tempo while also providing physicality.
Amorim's midfielder of choice
Brighton’s Carlos Baleba was initially earmarked as the prime candidate, but with the Seagulls demanding £100m, United have turned to other options.
Sevilla’s Lucien Agoumé is also on the radar, but the most intriguing development concerns a young English midfielder whose calmness and intelligence on the ball has already drawn comparisons with Michael Carrick.
That comparison is telling. Carrick was never the most dynamic in terms of pace or power, but his ability to anticipate danger, dictate tempo and distribute with precision underpinned Manchester United’s dominance during his time at Old Trafford.
Amorim’s side currently lack that kind of conductor, and the search to fill the role has led them towards one of the Premier League’s most exciting emerging talents.
According to reports, via the Daily Mirror, Manchester United are among a host of clubs interested in signing Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton.
The 21-year-old has made a rapid rise since leaving Blackburn Rovers and has quickly established himself as a key figure at Selhurst Park.
Wharton’s composure in possession and ability to dictate rhythm have earned him plaudits from across the game.
Palace content creator HLTCO recently described him as a “truly special talent,” while his mature displays have already secured him three England caps and a place in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad.
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After losing Eberechi Eze in a £60m deal to Arsenal, any move for Wharton is expected to cost £100m.
Manchester United are not alone in their pursuit. Real Madrid, Manchester City and Liverpool are also tracking his progress, a reflection of the scale of his potential.
The competition means this would be a complex transfer to complete – particularly for a club still finding its feet under Amorim.
Wharton's profile and the Carrick comparison
What makes Wharton so appealing to Manchester United is not only his technical quality but also the style of player he represents.
Unlike the archetypal modern holding midfielder defined by athleticism and pressing intensity, Wharton operates with intelligence, positional awareness and an assured passing range.
That profile naturally recalls Carrick, who joined United in 2006 and went on to form a formidable midfield partnership with Paul Scholes.
Carrick’s value lay in his vision, distribution and ability to anticipate play rather than raw physicality.
He dictated matches through composure and passing variety, and Wharton is beginning to show signs of a similar profile.
Statistically, the Palace man already ranks impressively among his positional peers.
According to FBref, last season he was in the 91st percentile compared to positionally similar players for both key passes (1.78 per 90) and progressive passes (7.31 per 90), while also hitting the 93rd percentile for shot-creating actions (4.03 per 90).
His defensive contribution is equally notable, with 96th-percentile numbers for ball recoveries (6.97 per 90) and 93rd percentile for completed challenges against dribblers (3.00 per 90).
These figures highlight his ability to influence matches at both ends of the pitch.
Matches Played
20
Starts
16
Assists
2
Progressive Carries
14
Progressive Passes
107
Pass Completion Rate
75.6%
Recycling possession, breaking up attacks, and advancing the ball into dangerous areas.
It is this blend of composure and progression that makes him stand out in a Premier League environment where many holding midfielders are primarily destructive.
The challenge for United would be extracting Wharton from Palace at a fee that reflects both his current impact and potential ceiling.
With Eze already gone and Wharton tied to a long contract, Palace will feel under no pressure to sell unless an extraordinary offer is made.
That said, the parallels with Carrick are significant. When Sir Alex Ferguson sanctioned the £18m deal to bring Carrick from West Ham nearly two decades ago, many questioned the outlay. In hindsight, it proved one of his most important transfers.
United’s recent midfield struggles underline why a player of Wharton’s profile could be transformative.
Amorim’s side ended last season in 15th place and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham, a campaign that exposed both a lack of control in possession and an over-reliance on moments of individual brilliance.
While Cunha, Mbeumo and Šeško should add cutting edge, without balance in midfield their contributions may be undermined.
Wharton is not a guarantee of success, nor would he single-handedly fix United’s issues. But his intelligence, progressive passing and reading of the game make him a rare commodity, and one who could grow into the type of midfield fulcrum United have lacked since Carrick’s retirement.
Whether they can persuade Palace to part with him remains to be seen.
For now, though, Wharton has already done enough to make Old Trafford dream of a midfield once again built on control and composure.
