Manchester United are expected to enter the 2026–27 season with a new permanent head coach. Indeed, United are taking their time in deciding who is best suited to replace Ruben Amorim in the Old Trafford hot seat. Yet already, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is being tipped as the odds‑on favourite to become the Red Devils’ next permanent boss. Palace’s resurgence under Glasner has seen him transform them from relegation battlers into European contenders. He might just be the transformative tactical genius United have been craving. Moreover, beyond securing a tactically astute coach in the 51-year-old, United should also recognise that Glasner’s arrival could hand them a crucial advantage in one major transfer battle. Midfield rebuild and the Wharton links Despite Amorim’s departure, Ineos are expected to stick with their recruitment blueprint, with midfield reinforcement remaining at the top of the agenda for 2026. Consequently, with Glasner potentially at the helm, United could end up having an extra edge in the chase for Adam Wharton. Determined to build on their recent success in landing Premier League‑proven talent, United have identified Wharton as one of the most exciting young midfielders available. At 21, the Englishman’s composure in the centre of the park and his immaculate passing have already drawn comparisons to Michael Carrick in his prime. Wharton is a man in demand That said, United are obviously not alone in the pursuit of the Palace star. Liverpool and Real Madrid have also been keen on his services. As in demand as he is, Wharton is clearly not going to come cheap. Moreover, his suitors know that. In fact, whoever hopes to win this race will need to break the bank. And while the Red Devils may be willing to splash the cash, they have faced a significant issue in this chase. To truly bolster their chances in the Wharton pursuit, United needed to offer Champions League football next season. Indeed, while United desperately need to return to Europe’s premier competition in order to triumph in this race, they could now possess a secret weapon in the pursuit of Wharton. Agent Glasner Yet, whether the 20‑time English champions secure European qualification or not, Glasner’s rapport with Wharton could still prove decisive. Crucially, his influence might persuade the midfielder to follow him to Old Trafford and reject approaches from other serious suitors. For Wharton, the prospect of laying the foundations of the German tactician’s United project should be an enticing one. Ultimately, he should trust the German to get the best out of him at Old Trafford. Featured image Marc Atkins via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Daniel Onguko Dan is a writer with The Peoples Person, an avid Manchester United fan whose passion for the Red Devils evolved into writing about them. He was introduced to United back in 2008, and his love for the club has continued to grow ever since. Like every other United fan, he believes the club will soon return to its rightful place and strives to reflect that belief in his writing. While he has also written about other Premier League sides, including Arsenal for Just Arsenal and The Arsenal Analysis Blogspot, Dan lives and breathes Manchester United.
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