Man Utd icon prioritising Adam Wharton signing ahead of £100m missed summer transfer target

Manchester United were interested in a £100million signing over the summer, but one former Red Devils believes their money would be better spent on Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton

Crystal Palace may have a fight on their hands if they want to keep hold of midfielder Adam Wharton in 2026. And Manchester United icon Wes Brown has backed his old club to move for the Eagles talisman ahead of Carlos Baleba.

The Red Devils were linked with Brighton’s box-to-box star in the summer but pulled out after learning he would cost in excess of £100million. Some fans may want to see Ruben Amorim’s side go back in for the Cameroon international next year, but treble-winner Brown believes Wharton is the better signing.

The 21-year-old has taken the Premier League by storm since moving to Selhurst Park from Blackburn in February 2024. When asked whom he’d like to see United sign out of Wharton or Baleba in 2026, there was no doubt who was the superior candidate.

“I’d have to go for Adam Wharton. I love him, and I think it’s always good if you can add an English player to the squad,” he told 10Bet Casino. “He’s strong, he’s talented, he’s technically good, and he knows his job on the pitch. He knows the Premier League and I’d have no problem if United bring him in.

“I think he could maybe be the right replacement for Casemiro. He’s not going to be there for years to come, and it might be time for that position to be freshened up. The midfield is all about combinations and partnerships, so if Wharton comes in he’d have to be able to link up with the players we’ve already got.

READ MORE: Managing Crystal Palace – Wharton pens Man Utd deal as Guehi denied Liverpool move againREAD MORE: Ruben Amorim told exactly why he should sign Adam Wharton as Man Utd get ‘green light’

“We saw for England when it was Scholes, Lampard and Gerrard, you can’t just shove your best players into a team and hope it works. It’s not as simple as that. You need a manager to make sure the combinations are right, and for Wharton, I think he would be the right man for that position in midfield.”

It’s possible two slots are set to open up in United’s midfield next year as Casemiro’s contract runs down to its expiry date. Kobbie Mainoo is also being slated for a departure after struggling to work his way into the Amorim’s plans.

Wharton’s stock has gone nowhere but up since he moved to south London last year. Not only has the player earned his way into Thomas Tuchel’s England reckoning, but he also played a huge role in getting Palace to Europe and securing the club’s first major title following last year’s FA Cup triumph.

Not only that, but it appears he would be significantly cheaper than Baleba if the £60m figure attached to his name proves accurate.

Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.