Manchester United’s biggest recruitment decision to make this summer will be who partners Kobbie Mainoo in midfield, and there remains interest in Adam Wharton for this role.
With Casemiro leaving Manchester United in June, it will be a new era for the midfield, with Kobbie Mainoo once more set to be the prized piece.
Right now, in terms of a midfield addition, it is difficult to look beyond Elliot Anderson to replace Casemiro, although that isn’t stopping Ineos from looking at alternatives.
Adam Wharton is an alternative, with the club’s stance on him now being explained.
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Manchester United see Adam Wharton as a perfect signing
The latest update on Wharton and United emerged at a pretty timely point in the season, days before Crystal Palace comes to Old Trafford.
The Sun claims that United are confident they could sign Wharton ahead of Liverpool. The report adds that sources say the young midfielder is a ‘Manchester United player in the making’.
Adam Wharton in Crystal Palace action.
Photo by Steve Bardens – AMA/Getty Images
Wharton is viewed as a perfect fit for the club by those who know him due to his northern roots and footballing quality, but there are hurdles.
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United face serious competition with there being no certainty around Wharton’s £65m gentleman’s agreement to join a Champions League club.
But despite all the factors going for him, United need to resist the urge to sign Wharton.
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Signing Wharton would be a brilliant addition to most teams in the league. He is a fantastic footballer.
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However, the issue with Wharton has nothing to do with his quality, rather his profile, which isn’t what United needs.
Wharton is more of a Mainoo than a Casemiro, being excellent on the ball, but physically, he isn’t an enforcer, nor someone with an endless engine.
Pairing Wharton with Mainoo would leave United with a midfield badly exposed and potentially overrun, albeit very good on the ball.
So United would probably end up with the pair battling for the same position on Carrick’s side. Which wouldn’t be a good move for either, and United should look elsewhere.
A perfect Mainoo partner is more important
Wharton would be more of a luxury signing for United, adding to what we already have, similar to how Arsenal and Man City do for competing on all fronts.
But this summer, United needs to find the perfect partner for Mainoo, and that is Anderson.
Unlike Wharton, Anderson has the legs and physical qualities which United need in a pivot alongside Mainoo, to get the best from him.
So unless Wharton is the second signing, United can’t be planning to sign him, as it would create a dysfunctional midfield.
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