Adam Wharton has overtaken Carlos Baleba on Manchester United’s list of transfer targets.
Ruben Amorim is understood to be an admirer of the directness to the Crystal Palace midfielder’s game – when Wharton gets an opportunity to pass forward, rather than sideways, he more often than not goes for it.
Baleba has been a long-term target to revolutionise United’s midfield, but the Brighton midfielder’s inauspicious start to the season has convinced some at the Premier League’s most successful club to explore a move for a different profile of player altogether – and Wharton fits the bill.
It has been a tough start to the campaign for the Brighton midfielder (Photo: Getty)Sources have told The i Paper that Wharton’s effortless ascendancy, along with the fact Baleba seems to struggle with the attention, having not completed a single full 90 minutes for Brighton this term, has caused several senior United figures to rethink their shortlist.
One insider compared Wharton to how Michael Carrick approached the game, someone who remains a popular figure around Old Trafford.
“A calming influence, a midfielder on a different level with the ball at his feet wouldn’t go amiss right now,” the insider says.
“Baleba can get about the pitch more, but does he possess Wharton’s quality on the ball? The club could do with the latter.”
How much is Baleba worth?
Baleba’s price tag remains over the £100m mark – one United are not willing to meet. His form could bring that figure down, but there is a feeling Wharton would still represent a cheaper option.
It is unclear what fee Palace would command at this stage, as there has been no contact from United. The Eagles are under no pressure to sell and, as we saw with Marc Guehi’s collapsed Liverpool move in the summer, they want to secure a replacement before Wharton is allowed to leave.
Ruben Amorim is under increasing pressure at Old Trafford (Photo: Getty)That makes a January sale unlikely. United would, however, be willing to bide their time to get the right midfielder in. The player himself is not understood to be agitating for a move, given Palace’s impressive start to the current campaign.
Wharton’s age, Lancashire roots and down-to-earth personality also fit the profile of player co-owners Ineos are looking for, having tried to move away from highly-paid marquee names in the transfer market.
Mainoo’s future
The 21-year-old’s potential arrival could really persuade Kobbie Mainoo to seek pastures now.
Contrary to some reports, Mainoo is not targeting a move away and has taken it upon himself to do some additional strength training during the international break.
Should he be needed to drag a stuttering United forward, those closest to the academy graduate feel he is ready to step up.
With the World Cup looming, should he continue to be overlooked by Amorim, Mainoo is likely to again revisit trying to secure a loan switch away from Old Trafford in January. A permanent exit is not in the Stockport-born youngster’s plans.
square FOOTBALL Man Utd are back in business - that should worry Ruben Amorim
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A host of Premier League clubs are keeping tabs on the situation, as well as teams in Italy, Spain and Germany.
The latest on Casemiro
United are undecided over what to do with Casemiro.
The Brazilian veteran could actually be offered a contract extension to stay beyond this season, The i Paper understands, if he is willing to take a pay cut.
Casemiro was identified by Sir Jim Ratcliffe as everything that was wrong with United’s transfer policy when he arrived, largely due to the decision to pay a 30-year-old around £300,000-a-week.
Having worked hard on his fitness in the summer, the now-33-year-old remains a key part of Amorim’s plans, with his experience and influence on the dressing room crucial to his continued value.
It is thought it would take a substantial pay cut for him to remain in Manchester next term.
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