Carlos Baleba. (Reuters/Paul Childs)
Manchester United’s 2025/26 Premier League campaign got off to frustrating start as the Red Devils slipped to a narrow 1–0 defeat against Arsenal on the opening weekend.
Riccardo Calafiori’s strike settled a tense clash at Old Trafford, but despite the loss, United looked a far cry from the disjointed side that limped to a 15th-place finish last season.
Big-money arrivals Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo looked sharp in attack, Patrick Dorgu was a revelation down the left, and Mason Mount finally produced the kind of display United fans have been crying out for. There was energy, intent, and plenty of optimism.
But amid all the positives, one glaring issue stood out like a sore thumb — the midfield. Casemiro looked a step off the pace, Manuel Ugarte continued to struggle, and the lack of dynamism in the engine room proved costly.
Ruben Amorim knows it, the fans know it, and the hierarchy at Old Trafford know it too. Which is why United are ready to move.
United Considering Move for Wharton
United’s first-choice target was Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, but the Seagulls have slammed the door shut. Tony Bloom wants the 21-year-old to stay another season, convinced he’ll one day fetch Moises Caicedo-style money — the Ecuadorian midfielder, of course, was sold to Chelsea for a mammoth £115 million in 2023.
With Baleba off the table, United are now eyeing a homegrown solution.
According to TalkSPORT, Crystal Palace sensation Adam Wharton is firmly on their radar, with United weighing up a bid before the window slams shut.
And make no mistake — Wharton is no mere backup option. Described as “outstanding” by England teammate Declan Rice, the 21-year-old has exploded onto the Premier League stage since his £22 million switch from Blackburn in January 2024. He’s already lifted the FA Cup and Community Shield in Palace colours, outshone veterans in midfield battles, and bossed games against the league’s elite.
European giants are already circling — Bayern Munich tested Palace’s resolve last summer, while both Liverpool and Real Madrid have sent scouts in recent months. Wharton’s stock is soaring, and Palace know it.
But for United, this could be the perfect storm. Palace may struggle to fend off yet another big-money raid after already fielding interest in Eberechi Eze, Marc Guéhi and Jean-Philippe Mateta. And with United’s midfield crying out for youth and quality, Wharton feels like exactly the kind of signing to anchor Amorim’s rebuild.
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