Manchester United have received a boost in their pursuit of a new midfielder in the summer transfer window. The Premier League giants have been keen to add one of Carlos Baleba, Elliot Anderson or Adam Wharton to their ranks as Ruben Amorim looks to move on from Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes.
It is unknown at this stage which option the club prefers, with a decision likely to come down to competition and funds at the end of the season. Brighton and Hove Albion rejected an approach for Baleba in August, but the player’s dreadful form since may have put off the Old Trafford decision makers.
Anderson and Wharton now stand out as the ideal additions, but with Man City, Liverpool, Tottenham and other Premier League sides also monitoring the situation it could be a challenge to land their preferred option.
Crystal Palace Set to Sell Adam Wharton Providing Boost to Man Utd
Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace are reportedly ready to cash in on Wharton this summer, according to Alan Nixon, with a big money deal likely to provide a boost in their attempts to keep hold of Jean-Phillippe Mateta. The England international has been impressing in the centre of the park and could be a more energetic option for Amorim.
Palace had been hoping to tie him down to a new deal, but this was primarily to ensure maximum return when the expected transfer interest comes at the end of the season.
Manchester United’s Midfield Problem
The midfield is by far one of the most important aspects of an Amorim system, yet it has been neglected for several transfer windows. Bruno Fernandes has been expected to play in a deeper role, next to an aging Casemiro. Manuel Ugarte has been unable to show any real signs of promise and the Kobbie Mainoo situation continues to be a bone of contention for fans.
That leaves very little room for Amorim to implement his preferred energetic end-to-end midfield that had been on show at Sporting. Play has, therefore had to move very quickly through the centre, or over the top to bypass it completely.