Manchester United have Palace star at top ot target list | OneFootball

Manchester United Shift Focus to Wharton as Baleba Interest Cools

United’s Midfield Search Takes New Direction

Manchester United are reconsidering their midfield shortlist, with Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton emerging as a leading target ahead of Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, according to iNews. The report suggests that manager Ruben Amorim is particularly drawn to Wharton’s “directness” and ability to progress play efficiently.

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The piece highlights that “when Wharton gets an opportunity to pass forward, rather than sideways, he more often than not goes for it.” That quality has impressed figures within Old Trafford’s recruitment team, who see shades of Michael Carrick in his approach. One club insider told iNews, “A calming influence, a midfielder on a different level with the ball at his feet wouldn’t go amiss right now.”

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Baleba’s Stock Drops as United Reassess

Baleba had been viewed as a long-term option to transform United’s midfield, but his underwhelming start to the season at Brighton has prompted internal debate. The 21-year-old has yet to complete a full 90 minutes this campaign, raising concerns about his readiness for a high-pressure move.

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As the report explains, “Baleba can get about the pitch more, but does he possess Wharton’s quality on the ball? The club could do with the latter.” It is understood that Amorim and INEOS are aligned in seeking a player who can dictate tempo rather than purely offer physical presence.

Financial Considerations and Market Timing

United’s transfer strategy has shifted towards sustainable spending, and Baleba’s valuation, reportedly still above £100 million, has priced him out of contention. Wharton, by contrast, would likely command a lower fee, though Crystal Palace’s strong stance makes a January deal improbable.

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As iNews notes, “Palace are under no pressure to sell and, as we saw with Marc Guehi’s collapsed Liverpool move in the summer, they want to secure a replacement before Wharton is allowed to leave.”

United are willing to bide their time to secure the right profile, particularly given Wharton’s fit within INEOS’s emphasis on younger, homegrown players. His Lancashire roots and grounded attitude further enhance his appeal to a hierarchy keen to reshape the club’s recruitment identity.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Manchester United supporters, this update will come as an encouraging sign that the club’s recruitment process is finally maturing. Gone are the days of panic buys and marquee names; Wharton represents a more thoughtful, long-term addition. Fans have long called for a midfielder who controls possession with intelligence rather than intensity, and Wharton seems to embody that vision.

The comparisons to Michael Carrick are flattering but not misplaced. Wharton’s composure, vision, and ability to maintain tempo under pressure mark him out as a player who could genuinely elevate United’s midfield. His performances at Palace have been consistent, calm, and quietly influential, the kind of qualities that have been missing from Old Trafford for years.

While some fans may lament the cooling of interest in Baleba, it feels like a pragmatic decision. Spending over £100 million on a player still finding his rhythm would have represented old mistakes. Wharton, by contrast, fits the modern Manchester United project: young, tactically astute, and financially sensible.

Supporters will hope that INEOS and Amorim can turn this interest into a concrete pursuit next summer. If Wharton joins, it could mark the start of a smarter, more balanced era at Old Trafford.