Before a ball was kicked this season, few Manchester United fans would have expected their team to sit in third place with eight games remaining.
However, that is the situation the Red Devils currently find themselves in after their recent 3-1 win over fellow European contenders Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Michael Carrick, who replaced the departed Ruben Amorim, has won seven of nine Premier League games since taking over temporarily.
The 44-year-old’s decision to switch back to a back-four system has undoubtedly contributed to his recent success, with the midfield department now looking much more comfortable.
Despite the recent upturn in form, the hierarchy is already working to improve the team, and the aforementioned area 1 could be significantly strengthened.
Man United’s £70m bid for Premier League star likely to be accepted
In recent months, United are just one of a number of clubs touted as being interested in signing Nottingham Forest star Elliott Anderson ahead of the summer transfer window.
Rivals Manchester City are also in the race to sign the 23-year-old, with a full-fledged transfer battle expected to begin in the off-season to sign him.
However, any deal is likely to be expensive for interested parties, as the Reds are currently demanding a fee of around £100m to sell their star man.
Anderson isn’t the only midfield option the Red Devils are currently eyeing, with Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton also currently on the radar.
According to Football Insider, Carrick’s side have received a major push to sign the Englishman, with the Eagles expected to lose the 22-year-old this summer.
United are firmly in the race for his signature, with reports suggesting Oliver Glasner’s side would demand a fee in the region of £70m to sell their star man.
They are not the only teams targeting Wharton, with Liverpool and Chelsea also just two teams said to be interested in him ahead of the summer transfer window.
Why Wharton is the perfect successor to Casemiro
United are ramping up their efforts to sign a new midfielder following the recent announcement that Casemiro will leave the club at the end of the season.
The Brazilian, who is the team’s highest-paid player, has just three months left on his current contract and has confirmed he will not sign a new contract.
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However, the 33-year-old has been in great form in recent months, as evidenced by his seven league goals so far, the most of any player in the squad.
Casemiro’s latest goal, in yesterday’s win against Aston Villa, even led to a group of fans chanting and demanding the midfielder stay at the club for another year.
With his departure pending, the need to sign a new midfield is growing, and Wharton could be the perfect option to fill the hole in the short and long-term future.
The 22-year-old has featured in all but three league games so far this season, and the Englishman has been impressive at both ends of the pitch, proving why he was hailed by one CONCACAF-certified coach as “the best English midfielder since Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick”.
Many of his efforts have been better than those produced by United’s current stars, which could give the club the quality they will need upon the Brazilian’s departure.
Wharton has completed more passes attempted this campaign, while also registering more chances per 90 so far throughout the 2025/26 season.
Adam Wharton – PL statistics (2025/26) | |
|---|---|
Statistics (every 90) | tally |
games played | 27 |
goals and assists | 5 |
Pass accuracy | 82% |
An opportunity has arisen | 1.3 |
Long ball completed | 2.4 |
The ball was collected | 5.6 |
Number of intercepts | 1.1 |
Clearance has occurred | 1.5 |
The aforementioned numbers highlight his talent and composure with the ball at his feet, and his skillset provides the Red Devils with additional ball-playing options in the heart of the side.
The £70m star has found teammates who can deliver more accurate long balls per 90 minutes, while also providing more than twice as many assists as the Brazilian.
There’s no denying that the Palace star is an incredible ball-playing option, but he was also able to dominate without the ball at his feet in the Premier League.
Wharton has increased his ball recoveries per 90 and his interceptions and could be the perfect all-round option for the Red Devils.
£70m is a huge investment for a player of Wharton’s quality, but it could be an immediate and long-term investment, especially given the midfielder’s still young age.
It is clear from his performances this season that he has the potential to make the leap to a top-flight club, and the Red Devils need to take advantage of his availability this summer.
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