Adam Wharton: Manchester United target unlikely to leave in January | OneFootball

Manchester United are likely to invest in the squad in the January transfer window after a poor start to the 2025/26 campaign. INEOS backed Ruben Amorim over the summer, handing him three first-team stars in Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

The Red Devils also signed Senne Lammens to address their goalkeeping conundrum on transfer deadline day, but their efforts in the transfer market have not been matched by the team’s performance on the pitch.

Seven games into the new season, the English giants are tenth in the Premier League with 10 points on the board, having scored nine goals and conceded 11.

While the team has displayed promising signs, there is still work to be done, particularly in the middle of the park, where Amorim has struggled to find the right combination.

United looking for a pivot midfielder

The general belief is that midfield is the team’s Achilles heel at the moment. Bruno Fernandes has been operating as one of the pivots under Amorim this campaign, but he is not a natural in the role.

Meanwhile, Casemiro is already on the wrong side of 30, and his contract expires at the end of the season. The Brazilian has been inconsistent of late, and the Red Devils also wanted to sign a replacement over the summer.

The Premier League giants have Manuel Ugarte on their books, but the Uruguayan hasn’t lived up to expectations since arriving at the Theatre of Dreams from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2024. Kobbie Mainoo, meanwhile, is yet to convince Amorim, and hasn’t started a Premier League game for the club this season.

The situation has created an imbalance in the middle of the park that Amorim could be tempted to address at the turn of the year.

Recent reports have suggested that United have identified Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton as a potential solution to their midfield issues. However, it now appears that they may not have much luck if they attempt to sign him in January.

Wharton unlikely to leave in January

Journalist Dean Jones recently discussed the futures of Crystal Palace trio Marc Guehi, Adam Wharton and Daniel Munoz with TEAMtalk. He said: “I don’t expect any of them to leave in January. It would take a very bold offer to tempt any of the three away at that stage.”

“It makes more sense for Guehi to wait it out until summer and make his free agent move than to be sold in the winter.

“Wharton is not going to leave halfway through the season, and I don’t think interest in Munoz is clear enough to take seriously at this point. But of course there is still time for that to change.

“Palace tend to communicate well with players that could leave the club and so if anything starts to open up I expect some very clear understanding to be outlined.”

United could also opt to weather the storm this season, make do with the options at hand, and then go all out for midfield reinforcements at the end of the campaign. However, much will depend on the team’s form, and the existing midfield’s performances between now and the end of the year.

Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images

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