According to Prominent Italian Journalist Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United preparing late swoop for £100m-rated “generational talent,” viewed as a step up from Mainoo

**Manchester United’s rocky start and the Wharton pursuit**

Manchester United have stumbled at the beginning of the 2025/26 season, and Ruben Amorim faces an uphill challenge if he is to restore the club to the heights they once occupied after years of inconsistency and underachievement.

The problem is a familiar one. Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s final title-winning campaign in 2012/13, when the legendary manager delivered United’s 20th league crown, the club has failed to reclaim top spot in English football.

**Youth and squad challenges**
Although United pride themselves on producing and developing young players, recent years have been turbulent on that front as well. Marcus Rashford has since moved on to Barcelona, while academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo finds himself at odds with Amorim’s plans.

Mainoo, now 20, requested a loan move away to secure regular football, but United turned it down. Amorim wants him to remain part of the senior squad, despite giving him only a fringe role since succeeding Erik ten Hag.

The midfielder has made 73 appearances for United’s first team, peaking when he scored in the FA Cup final against Manchester City to deliver silverware in Ten Hag’s second campaign. Yet, under Amorim, he has been left out of the first two league matches and talks over extending his deal—which is running into its final two years—have stalled.

From Mainoo’s perspective, his frustration is understandable. However, if United complete the transfer they are working on behind the scenes, allowing him to depart—at least temporarily—might be easier to accept.

**United’s late transfer push**
According to *Football Insider*, United are preparing a late move for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, though they face competition from both Liverpool and Real Madrid.

Palace chairman Steve Parish values Wharton at around £100m, making him a hugely expensive target, but INEOS and sporting director Jason Wilcox are expected to push hard, particularly with uncertainty surrounding Mainoo’s role at the club.

Concerns remain over whether United have the financial muscle to pull it off, especially since their interest in Brighton’s Carlos Baleba collapsed due to price. Still, Wharton falls into the same market bracket, showing United’s intent to invest big in midfield quality.

**Why Wharton fits Amorim’s plans**
Amorim’s tactical system has forced captain Bruno Fernandes into a deeper position than usual, using his creativity and passing range to dictate play from further back. While effective for the team’s structure, it has left Mainoo sidelined.

This is where Wharton could come in. The 21-year-old has been hailed as one of the brightest young midfielders in Europe, with qualities that blend defensive work and progressive distribution.

According to FBref data, Wharton ranks in the top 8% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for shot-creating actions, the top 13% for progressive passes, and the top 5% for ball recoveries per 90 minutes. These numbers highlight his ability to both shield the defence and drive attacks forward—something United urgently need.

Described as a “generational talent” by journalist Matthew Stanger, Wharton has already proved his credentials since leaving Blackburn Rovers for Selhurst Park in January 2024. In his first Premier League season, he averaged three tackles per game and won 57% of his ground duels—showing he can thrive at the highest level.

**Balancing Mainoo and Wharton**
Bringing Wharton in would almost certainly push Mainoo further down the pecking order, but his qualities make him an ideal long-term successor to Fernandes in Amorim’s setup. Journalist Liam Canning has called Fernandes an “absolute magician,” and United will eventually need a successor who can control games from midfield in a similar way. Wharton’s profile suggests he could be that player.

With Bruno Fernandes creating 91 chances in the Premier League last season—more than Mohamed Salah, Cole Palmer, and Enzo Fernández—United will need someone capable of maintaining that creative output when he eventually steps back from the spotlight.

Wharton offers a rare combination: defensively solid, technically gifted, and able to dictate tempo. If United can beat their rivals to his signature, he could become the central figure in Amorim’s midfield rebuild.

**The bigger picture**
While losing or sidelining a homegrown talent like Mainoo would be disappointing, United’s pursuit of Wharton signals ambition. After years of drifting, INEOS appear determined to compete with Europe’s biggest clubs for the best young talent.

If the deal goes through before the transfer window closes, it could mark a turning point—helping United rebuild around a midfield general capable of driving them back to the top