Manchester United have been linked with a move for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, who was involved in a training session on Wednesday
02:02, 21 Aug 2025
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace looks on during the 2025 FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on August 10, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Adam Wharton seemed to show reporters where his loyalties lie(Image: Getty Images)
Adam Wharton has been touted for a potential switch to Manchester United in recent weeks – but he made his intentions crystal clear on Wednesday afternoon.
As Sky Sports cameras rolled at a Crystal Palace training session ahead of their UEFA Conference League play-off clash with Frederkstad, reporter Gary Cotterill joke they would not be dwelling on the midfielder's future as he went through his warm-up routine.
Upon catching wind of the comment, Wharton then seemed to shift his training bib to one side and gestured towards the Palace crest. Sky's attention was actually on Ebere Eze, who looks increasingly likely to seal a switch to Arsenal following speculation linking him with Tottenham Hotspur.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on August 17, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Rio said Wharton seems "ready for the occassion"(Image: Robin Jones, Getty Images)
However, discussing Wharton recently, the Manchester Evening News reported that Rio Ferdinand said: "We've been talking about Baleba, he's been the hot topic for the last month or so, but before that, Adam Wharton was one of the guys I was saying.
"He's the nearest to a Michael Carrick type, who's a controller, who can play, who plays forward from that deeper line position at times. He can be an eight if you need him to be and can run on at times if need be, but he's more of a conductor and can control things.
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"I watched him in a couple of games last season against big teams like Man City and Liverpool, and he looks unfazed. He looks ready for a big occasion.
"He enjoys pressure, can play under pressure, and the game kind of slows down when the ball is around him. I love him. I think he's a fantastic footballer."
Eberechi Eze
If Eze leaves, it makes Crystal Palace's transfer window even harder(Image: Getty Images)
However, securing a deal for Wharton could prove challenging as Crystal Palace grapple with the potential departures of Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze to Liverpool and Tottenham respectively. The 21-year-old still has four years remaining on his contract.
Manchester United have less than a fortnight to wrap up their remaining business in the transfer window.
Ruben Amorim is hoping that the club's activity will propel his team to new heights, following an impressive performance that ultimately ended in defeat against Arsenal. The Red Devils have already made significant acquisitions in Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha, spending around £200million.
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Morten Hjulmand and Adam Wharton are currently under scrutiny as United aim to bolster Ruben Amorim's midfield.
Hjulmand is a familiar face to the United boss, having played 65 times under the Portuguese coach. The 26-year-old is reportedly available for around £50m.
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