Manchester United have identified their top target to reinforce their midfield in 2026, and INEOS are confident they can complete a deal in the new year.
The Red Devils continued their rollercoaster form under Ruben Amorim on Sunday, following defeat against Everton with an extremely professional display to come from behind against a Crystal Palace side who had not tasted defeat in the Premier League since October.
After an abysmal display against the Toffees, the second half performance at Selhurst Park was a real show of what United are capable of, as they nullified Palace’s attacking threat and tested Dean Henderson on several occasions.
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This Man Utd player starred in their 2-1 win away to Crystal Palace
ByJoe Nuttall
Amorim revealed he had told his players the Eagles would struggle to maintain their first half intensity after their trip to France to face Strasbourg in Conference League on Thursday.
“I said to the players we need to be more alive and you could feel that. If you are more alive, you are in more places, near the ball more often and everyone did that, but we also need to understand that the opponent is tired,” the Portuguese said as United moved up into the top seven.
“If you see the last plays of the game, they were struggling so much to take the ball out of the box and you could feel it in the way they move that they were getting tired for the second half and we talked about that.
“And again, our pace and intensity in the first half, we cannot play like that in Premier League, so we increased that. I had the feeling and we had the feeling that if we scored one goal, this would change completely.”
Perhaps the only standout performance for the hosts was that of Adam Wharton, and reports after the game revealed United are confident of securing a deal for the Crystal Palace midfielder in the new year.
Gary Lineker heaps praise on Man Utd target Adam Wharton
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast on Monday morning, Gary Lineker and Micah Richards discussed the England international’s performance against United, as he set up the chance that led to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s penalty with a stunning pass.
“I’ll tell you, Adam Wharton, oh my, boy, he can play,” said the former Match of the Day Host.
Adam Wharton’s performance vs Man Utd
Chances created
1
Accurate passes
23/28
XG + XA
0.18
Defensive contributions
13
Passes in the final third
9
Richards added: “I was doing all my analysis on Adam Wharton and then United go and score and you got to give United a little bit of credit.”
Wharton struggled with injuries last season, and was praised for putting in “world class” displays while awaiting surgery on a groin problem, but has proven his durability this season, starting 11 times in the league and twice in Europe.
Amorim believes the 21-year-old fits what he is looking for at Old Trafford, and despite links to fellow Premier League riser Elliot Anderson, INEOS are confident they can win the race for Wharton if they achieve their goal of European football.