Manchester United’s midfield signings this summer are already being worked on, but Adam Wharton might have just made a case for himself to be considered.
The season finished for Manchester United last weekend, but for Adam Wharton and Crystal Palace this week has seen European silverware attained.
Wharton ran the show in Leipzig as Palace claimed a third trophy in 12 months, and his performance was a statement to the clubs who have been mulling over signing him.
United’s interest in Wharton is long-standing, and he’s just stepped up in the biggest game of his career yet, proving United wrong in their reported judgement of him.
Where should Adam Wharton rank among Man United’s midfield transfer targets this summer?
The club think he's too similar to Kobbie Mainoo, but they have very different skillsets…
Adam Wharton shines in the UEFA Conference League final
Wharton has been hailed by Pep Guardiola in his career which is among the biggest compliments a midfielder can get, considering the greats that the Spaniard has worked with.
But the Conference League final was his best performance yet.
Wharton created the winner for Palace, as he was given the space to gallop into the Rayo Vallecano half before his shot on target was palmed straight to Jean-Philippe Mateta by the goalkeeper.
This was one of two chances he created, as he also should have had a first-half assist as a brilliant cross was placed inch-perfect onto Tyrick Mitchell’s head only for the effort to sail wide.
On the ball, Wharton may be one of the best passers in the Premier League, as his 11 passes into the final third showcased. While he also competes well off the ball, winning five duels in the final, alongside five recoveries.
It was a star-making performance, one which will entice clubs to move for him.
This should include United.
How much do you think Man Utd will spend in this window?
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Manchester United are wrong about Wharton and Kobbie Mainoo verdict
Wharton always felt like a player destined to play for United, with Ryan Giggs even saying he looks like a United player. That is, until earlier this year, when links went dead as the Red Devils’ stance on him emerged.
It emerged in April that United considered Wharton too similar to Kobbie Mainoo and thus wouldn’t be pushing for a deal this summer.
But Wharton has proved that he isn’t anything like Mainoo, not that two Mainoos would even be a negative.
Wharton’s creativity from deep and passing range is superior to Mainoo’s right now, while Mainoo excels in carrying the ball and picking out passes that aren’t as extravagant but still progress play.
Together, these two would be formidable as two number eights, or as a rotational option for United. However, as a duo, it would leave United without a real dominant ground coverer or ball winner, although both can do that job.
Long term, Mainoo and Wharton as eights with a six behind them could be a league title-winning midfield, once Bruno Fernandes departs in the next few years, as there isn’t a 10 that can replace him.
If available between £60-70m, Wharton should absolutely be considered.
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