Since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United have continued to hit new lows.
Winning 13 of their 20 Premier League titles, Ferguson built the Red Devils into a modern powerhouse.
Remove him, and United’s trophy count becomes mediocre.
It was the genius of one man that turned the club into one of the most renowned in Europe and the world.
No matter their current state, all eyes remain on United—such is their fan base and global popularity.
So it is under a huge spotlight that manager after manager has tried to crack the United code in the post-Ferguson era, but none have truly succeeded.
Ten Hag was sacked midway through the season, and now it’s Ruben Amorim at the wheel.
It’s his turn to steer the Titanic away from the iceberg.
But inheriting the mess and chaos left behind by Ten Hag, Amorim has yet to make a real impact.
United sit 15th in the table—and we’re in late February.
A scenario that, if told to a United fan 20 years ago, would have been met with laughter.
How far have the mighty fallen?
But Amorim deserves time.
One cannot judge him based on Ten Hag’s squad.
A chef’s recipe won’t work with someone else’s ingredients.
Manchester United needs a summer transfer window.
And one of the players identified early on is Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.
According to ‘CaughtOffside,’ Man United are leading the race to sign the 21-year-old midfielder in the summer, with Juventus also interested.
And truth be told, Wharton could be a smart signing for the Red Devils.
For starters, United desperately needs energy and fresh legs in midfield—something Wharton offers.
He’s a highly intelligent player with excellent ball retention and press resistance—two things United’s midfield has struggled with.
Originally a No. 10 in his youth, Wharton has evolved into a deep-lying midfielder, making him exceptional at breaking defensive lines with his passing.
Combine that with his defensive work rate and the fact that he’s only 21, and it’s clear why United are scouting him.
Some have even gone as far as calling him a reincarnation of Steven Gerrard.
But let’s be real—that’s a bit far-fetched!
Wharton’s journey has been straightforward so far.
He spent over a decade at Blackburn Rovers, working his way up through their academy before joining Crystal Palace in February last year.
Since then, his 7.3 progressive passes per 90 minutes put him in the 88th percentile among midfielders, while his 3.18 shot-creating actions per 90 place him in the 77th percentile.
Defensively, he boasts 68 tackles with a 62% success rate, along with 117 duels won.
Not world-class numbers—yet. But the potential is obvious.
Beyond stats, it’s also how he thinks about the game that makes him stand out.
Speaking to ‘SCOUTED’, Wharton shared an interesting insight into his playstyle:
“This might sound weird, but I love wrapping passes through to the No. 10 so they can turn and drive at the defense—maybe even more than scoring a goal or assisting. Because I was a No. 10 myself, I appreciate how difficult those passes are to make, but also how valuable they can be—especially if you’re being found between the lines.”
That’s a unique thing to love about football. Not many admire something so niche.
So yes, Wharton is a thinking footballer.
And the reason he’s not been under your radar is because he’s missed four months this season due to injury.
Now, as he slowly returns, Wharton is a name you’ll hear a lot more.
But while he would be a great signing for Man United… would Man United be great for him?
That’s a question that rarely gets asked.
United has been a sinking ship for over a decade.
Many managers and players have come in and struggled—so maybe it’s not them. Maybe something deeper is rotten at the core.
Time and time again, we’ve seen great players arrive at Old Trafford, only to falter.
Should Wharton take the risk of boarding a sinking ship?
Because make no mistake—there will be other suitors.
Juventus are already interested, and as the summer transfer window approaches, more clubs—perhaps City, Chelsea, or Liverpool—will follow.
Ultimately, the decision will be his.
Manchester United or not, the stars must align for Adam Wharton!
