Before a ball was kicked this season, very few Manchester United fans would have predicted that the side would be sitting in third place with just eight games to go.
However, that’s where the Red Devils currently find themselves in, after the latest 3-1 Premier League triumph over fellow European contenders, Aston Villa.
Michael Carrick, who took the reins from the departed Ruben Amorim, has now won seven of his nine Premier League matches since taking the job on a temporary basis.
The 44-year-old’s decision to switch to a four-back system once again has no doubt aided their recent success, with the midfield department now looking a lot more comfortable.
Despite the recent upturn in form, the hierarchy are already conducting work to improve the squad, with the aforementioned area one that could be bolstered significantly.
Man Utd could have £70m bid accepted for Premier League star
Over recent months, United have been just one of many clubs touted with an interest in landing Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson ahead of the summer window.
Bitter rivals Manchester City have also entered the race to land the 23-year-old, with a proper transfer battle set to commence for his signature during the off-season.
However, any deal would likely be an expensive one for any interested party, with the Reds currently demanding a fee in the region of £100m to sell their star man.
Anderson isn’t the only midfield option currently in their sights, with Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton another player who’s of interest to the Red Devils at present.
According to Football Insider, Carrick’s men have received a huge boost in their pursuit of the Englishman, as the Eagles expect to lose the 22-year-old this summer.
The report states that Oliver Glasner’s men would demand a fee in the region of £70m to sell their star man, with United firmly in the race to secure his signature.
They aren’t alone in their attempts to land his services, as Liverpool and Chelsea are just two of the sides also credited with an interest in Wharton ahead of the summer window.
Why Wharton would be the perfect Casemiro replacement
The whole reason United have stepped up their attempts to land a new midfielder is due to the recent announcement that Casemiro would be leaving the club at the end of the campaign.
The Brazilian, who’s the highest-paid player in the squad, has just three months left on his current deal, but the player himself has confirmed he won’t be penning a new deal.
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However, the 33-year-old has been a man in tremendous form in recent months, as seen by his tally of seven league goals to date – the joint-highest of any player in the squad.
Casemiro’s latest came in the win over Aston Villa yesterday, even leading to a group of fans chanting and demanding the midfielder stay at the club for one more year.
His pending departure has increased the need for a new midfield signing, with Wharton potentially being the perfect option to fill the void for the immediate and long-term future.
The 22-year-old has featured in all but three league games to date this season, with the Englishman producing some remarkable figures at both ends of the pitch, demonstrating why he was hailed as “the best English midfielder since Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick” by one CONCACAF-certified coach.
Many of his efforts have been higher than those produced by the current United star, which could hand the club the needed quality they will need upon the Brazilian’s departure.
Wharton has completed more of the passes he’s attempted this campaign, whilst also registering more chances created per 90 so far throughout 2025/26.
|
Adam Wharton – PL stats (2025/26) |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Tally |
|
Games played |
27 |
|
Goals & assists |
5 |
|
Pass accuracy |
82% |
|
Chances created |
1.3 |
|
Long balls completed |
2.4 |
|
Ball recoveries made |
5.6 |
|
Interceptions made |
1.1 |
|
Clearances made |
1.5 |
The aforementioned figures highlight his talent and composure with the ball at his feet, with his skillset offering the Red Devils an added ball-playing option at the heart of the side.
The £70m star has also found a teammate with more accurate long balls per 90, whilst also registering over two times more assists than the Brazilian.
There’s no denying that the Palace star would be a phenomenal ball-playing option, but he’s also been able to dominate without the ball at his feet in the Premier League.
Wharton has made more ball recoveries per 90, along with more interceptions made – which could make him the perfect all-round option for the Red Devils.
£70m for a player of Wharton’s quality would be a huge investment, but it could be an immediate and long-term investment, especially considering the midfielder’s tender age.
It’s evident from the stats he’s produced this campaign that he’s able to make the jump to a top-level club, with the Red Devils needing to take advantage of his availability this summer.
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