Ruben Amorim green lights Man United move for £60m midfielder | OneFootball

Man United Step Up Pursuit Of Adam Wharton Amid Midfield Uncertainty

Wharton Identified As Key Midfield Target

Midfield succession planning is moving higher up Manchester United’s agenda, and Adam Wharton has emerged as one of the most coveted options available. At just 21, the Crystal Palace star has already cemented himself as one of the Premier League’s most reliable controllers, combining composure, range of passing and athletic work rate. According to recent reports, United boss Ruben Amorim has personally monitored his progress with increasing interest.

It is claimed Amorim believes Wharton has “the technical abilities to be a huge success at United”, and the club’s hierarchy appear aligned with that assessment. TEAMtalk have reported that the Red Devils are preparing to submit a £60million bid, confident that such a figure would be enough to tempt Palace into negotiations. “It’s claimed that United are ‘confident’ that a bid of £60million would be enough to lure Wharton from Selhurst Park, though a move is more likely next summer than in January, amid the uncertainty over the futures of Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro.”

Photo IMAGO

Contract Situation Gives Palace Leverage

There is no denying that Palace hold the stronger hand for now. Wharton is contracted until 2029, which gives his current club the freedom to refuse approaches without the pressure of looming deadlines. Reports have suggested that the player himself is in no rush to depart mid-season, with some insisting he remains content at Selhurst Park.

Yet timing is rarely straightforward in modern football. Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid are all credited with interest, and the closer Wharton edges towards the summer, the more competitive the situation becomes. United can afford neither hesitation nor complacency. If they truly view Wharton as the long-term heartbeat of their midfield, they must move with clarity before rivals force the price beyond £60million.

England Ambitions Add Subtext To Decision

International ambition is another factor that could influence Wharton’s eventual choice. While Thomas Tuchel recently opted for Jordan Henderson ahead of him in England’s latest selection, few expect that hierarchy to remain static for long. If his current development continues, he has every chance of being on the plane to the 2026 World Cup.

Joining Manchester United, Liverpool or Manchester City would accelerate his visibility. Yet staying at Crystal Palace guarantees consistent game time, and international managers have increasingly shown favour towards regular rhythm over high-profile benches. Wharton is mature enough to weigh stability against opportunity.

Photo: IMAGO

Next Phase Of United’s Evolution

United’s midfield lacks long-term clarity. Casemiro’s future remains uncertain. Mainoo is a rising star but still young. Options such as Carlos Baleba remain under assessment. Bringing in Wharton would establish a foundation piece rather than another short-term fix. Few around the club dispute that the rebuild must be rooted in players who can grow with the project, not simply patch over weaknesses.

Whether summer or January becomes the battleground, United must ensure their intent translates into action rather than rhetoric.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Manchester United fans, the idea of signing Adam Wharton represents more than just another midfield addition. It signals a departure from stop-gap solutions. Supporters have grown tired of watching ageing stars arrive at the end of their peak years. Wharton feels like the kind of player who could anchor United’s midfield for a decade if developed correctly.

There will be scepticism, of course. Some will question whether £60million is too much for a relatively inexperienced player. Others will worry that he might follow the path of previous “future leaders” who struggled to impose themselves at Old Trafford under chaotic systems. However, the mood among many fans is shifting towards long-term planning. A young, tactically disciplined midfielder like Wharton is exactly what United have lacked since Michael Carrick retired.

The challenge will be convincing him that United can offer stability. Competing interest from Liverpool or Manchester City could complicate matters, and Palace will not release him without resistance. But if United move decisively and present a clear role rather than vague assurances, fans will back it wholeheartedly.