Adam Wharton is being considered as part of Manchester United’s search for a new midfielder.
Manchester United overlooked the need for a new midfielder in the summer, but it’s an area that is likely to be prioritised in 2026, with United’s current options raising more questions than answers.
Ruben Amorim has persisted with a double pivot of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro in the middle of the pitch this season, despite the team often being overrun in midfield. The United head coach has also overlooked Kobbie Mainoo in his line-up, while the jury is still out on Manuel Ugarte following his 2024 transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.
United’s uncertainty in midfield has led to several transfer targets emerging, including Carlos Baleba at Brighton. The Red Devils’ attempts to sign Baleba were pushed back in the summer.
Now, United will continue to scan the market as more targets emerge on the club’s radar.
Adam Wharton is one of the most promising options in England right now, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to see him linked with a move to Old Trafford.
Latest Adam Wharton to Manchester United transfer news
Adam Wharton became a target for United in September 2025, but the midfielder has attracted more attention following his promising start to the new season.
Real Madrid will compete with United for Wharton in the summer, with the La Liga giants willing to spend big to secure his signature.
It is understood that United know how much Wharton will cost in the summer.
Who is United target Adam Wharton?
After breaking through the Blackburn academy and making 51 appearances for the first team, Wharton joined Crystal Palace during the January 2024 transfer window in a deal that cost £18 million, potentially rising to £22 million with add-ons.
Wharton has since made 53 appearances for Palace and has been tipped for a call-up to the senior England squad. He has registered six assists for the Eagles, but is waiting to open his scoring account.
How old is Adam Wharton?
Wharton is 21 years old and was born on 6 February, 2004.
Where is Adam Wharton from?
Wharton was born in Blackburn, England.
How tall is Adam Wharton? What is his height?
Wharton stands at 1.82m tall, which is roughly 6ft. That means he stands shorter than Casemiro.
What position does Adam Wharton play?
Wharton plays as a central midfielder and is often deployed in a deeper role, functioning as a deep-lying playmaker, responsible for controlling the tempo in games and getting the ball forward for transitions. He also plays a big role in breaking up the opposition’s attacks.
Who has Adam Wharton been compared with?
Wharton has been compared to many high-profile players, including former United midfielder Michael Carrick, which shows how highly he is rated.
Rio Ferdinand made the comparison to Carrick initially, saying: “I like Wharton, I mean, Baleba as well. But they are very different players.
“But Wharton… in terms of controlling the tempo for us. He’s the nearest thing I’ve seen for a while to Carrick in terms of these things ticking. He can move, he can become an eight in certain phases of the game. He can come be a six, receive it, and get us going.
“I think he’s a player that could really get the tempo going again to the one that he wants, and control it.”
Adam Wharton’s career stats
Wharton is currently showing potential to be a world-class player at Crystal Palace.
Crystal Palace: 53 games, 0 goals, 6 assists.
Blackburn Rovers: 51 games, 4 goals, 5 assists.
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