Manchester United have been encouraged to pursue a deal for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton as manager Michael Carrick looks to further strengthen his squad this summer. The call comes after United secured the signings of Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £50m and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35m, but former assistant boss Rene Meulensteen believes further midfield reinforcement is crucial.
United’s initial pursuit of midfielders Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, and Elliot Anderson proved unsuccessful, with those players moving for a combined £301m – a sum deemed too expensive by the club’s new ownership group, INEOS. However, the acquisitions of Santos and Tielemans represent shrewd business, and Carrick is reportedly keen to add a third midfielder to bolster competition ahead of a Champions League campaign.
Meulensteen specifically highlighted Wharton as an ideal target, valuing the 20-year-old at £80m. He believes Wharton’s technical ability and composure under pressure would provide a different dimension to United’s midfield, complementing the existing qualities of Kobbie Mainoo. “What United needs is diversity in its recruitment,” Meulensteen told Tipman Tips. “He finds any of those front five with one decisive pass, and he rips the opposition right open, and I love that.”
Beyond Wharton, Meulensteen also suggested exploring a move for Carlos Baleba and prioritising a new centre forward to provide cover for Benjamin Sesko. He even floated the possibility of a move for Harry Kane, although acknowledging that may be unrealistic, and suggested Jean-Philippe Mateta as a more attainable Premier League-proven option. A combined deal for Wharton and Mateta could cost United around £130m.
Meulensteen believes that with the right additions, United could mount a serious title challenge, building on the foundation laid by Carrick. He emphasized the importance of avoiding repeat purchases of similar player types and attracting players who can immediately impact the first team. The former coach also raised questions about the long-term suitability of current goalkeeper Senne Lammens, suggesting a potential need for further investment in the goalkeeping position.
