United are off to a strong start under Carrickplaceholder image
United are off to a strong start under Carrick | AFP via Getty Images
Manchester United are said to be showing interest in a Crystal Palace star.
Yet another Crystal Palace star is said to be in demand amid talk Jean-Philippe Mateta could follow Marc Guehi out the door this month. Guehi is set to complete his £20million move to Manchester City this month, with Pep Guardiola’s side deciding to pay the money now rather than enter a multi-club race to sign the defender for free in the summer.
Oliver Glasner, who will leave in the summer, criticised the club for their handling of the sale, with the Austrian only informed on Friday that a sale would be happening and that his club captain would be out of commission for what turned out to be a defeat to Sunderland on Saturday.
Glasner says he will remain committed to his players for the duration of his contract, which expires this summer, but whether the club will put up with comments like he made on Saturday remain to be seen. For now, Palace must navigate the January transfer window, risking a total collapse of their season, which is already going off the rails.
Meanwhile, it seems clubs are also circling other Palace players ahead of the summer, perhaps sensing blood in the water at Selhurst Park. The loss of Glasner could reduce the sense of commitment some players have to the club, and Manchester United are said to be hoping that is the case when it comes to Adam Wharton.
Wharton may well head to the World Cup with England this summer, so if Palace are to sell, they may get a see the midfielder’s price inflated if he has a good summer tournament.
Glasner praise for Wharton
Speaking back in November, Glasner backed Wharton to become one of the best in the world after Roy Keane criticised the midfielder for not demanding the ball enough.
“I’m massively pleased with Adam’s progress," said Glasner. “I would have acted a little like Roy Keane. He’s my generation and we grew up a little differently. When you watch younger players, they are not as loud as we would have been – you have to accept this.
“They are a new generation. If you ask them to do things that we did, it looks like dinosaur times. Maybe it doesn’t suit them. Adam has already progressed with how loud he is when we see him in training. We are encouraging him to do so.
“It’s a little out of his nature because he’s more of an introverted guy. To ask someone to be extroverted, they won’t feel well if it doesn’t suit them. Adam Wharton should stay Adam Wharton. He should show his strengths. Yes, develop all the other skills to become a top player in the world. He’s still 21, I’m pretty sure he will develop all these skills to become a top player in the world.”
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