Adam Wharton has been linked with a big-money move to Manchester United as Ruben Amorim looks to rebuild his midfield at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes provided two assists as Manchester United made a surprise comeback at Crystal Palace, raising the possibility of signing Adam Wharton to replace him next summer.
The England midfielder played a brilliant pass to Jean-Philippe Mateta in the first half, earning a penalty after being fouled by Lenny Yolo. The French striker scored the spot-kick on his second attempt after VAR ordered a retake after an accidental double touch.
But after the break, the Manchester United captain played alongside Joshua Zirkzee and scored a stunning equalizer. Mason Mount then smashed Fernandes’ short free-kick into the Palace wall to score the winner and the Old Trafford club moved up to sixth place by the time of the second-half kick-off.
Ruben Amorim has the responsibility of taking the Old Trafford club back to Europe in his second season, but if he fails he risks becoming the former Manchester United manager again.
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However, if they are unable to qualify for next season’s European football, it will have an impact on player recruitment. And while Wharton, a £70m target, is understood to only be interested in a move to Old Trafford if he is in Europe, this Fernandes-inspired win has increased that possibility.
The Portuguese star turned down the chance to move to the Saudi Professional League in the summer, but has now agreed to leave United for £57m next year and join a foreign club.
That money could fund a deal for Wharton, or fellow England midfielder Elliott Anderson or Brighton’s Carlos Baleva. The former Blackburn Rovers midfielder is already playing in the UEFA Conference League and is always busy looking for a pass forward.
And while Fernandes, now 31, and Casemiro, 34, will add youthful energy to Manchester United’s engine room, both played the full 90 minutes, with Wharton sent off 78 minutes into his midweek appearance.
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However, Wharton is yet to score for Crystal Palace, missing out on the opener against Strasbourg on Thursday. And in the first half, when Palace should have stopped the game, he fired straight at Manchester United keeper Senne Lamence.
The Brazilian also missed two early chances, including a header from Fernandes’ free-kick, but Manchester United’s two midfielders provided a goal threat.
Declan Rice has racked up more goals since joining Arsenal from West Ham. And if he can stay healthy, that’s an area where Wharton can improve to become a regular in England and a superstar in the Premier League.
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