“It’s a difficult landscape”: PL club chief hints at outstanding United midfield target’s 2026 sale

Manchester United secured a thumping 4-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Monday, 8 November, in the Premier League. Bruno Fernandes scored a brace, while Mason Mount and Bryan Mbeumo also got on the scoresheet to mark a fruitful night for Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese head coach is working to get the Red Devils back to their glory days, with the team already showing positive signs this season. Amorim started Monday’s game with Fernandes and Casemiro as his midfield pivot once again, but United look certain to upgrade the position in 2026. INEOS’ preference for signing Premier League-proven players has seen the Premier League giants linked with several candidates for the job, including Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton. One of the Premier League’s finest Wharton has been outstanding for Palace this season, registering 20 appearances in all competitions, including 17 starts. Adam Wharton Stats: 2025/26 Season CompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played Premier League13-21-1,035′ Conference League4—-193′ UECL Qualifiers2—-180′ Community Shield1-1–85′ Total20-31-1,493′ Source: Transfermarkt. Amorim is keen to add more quality to his midfield next year, having invested a significant amount in the attack this summer. The Red Devils have struggled to control games this season, which is why a move for Wharton makes sense. The Englishman’s ability to dominate possession, knit together passes, and orchestrate the midfield has been on full display at Selhurst Park in recent times. There is a belief that the 21 year old could hit a higher gear with a move to the Theatre of Dreams, while it is also clear that United could benefit from his presence in the middle of the park. Recent reports state that the Red Devils are confident of securing Wharton’s signature for around £70 million in 2026. Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has now provided an update on the matter that will delight the Old Trafford hierarchy. Palace preparing for summer sales Speaking to The Athletic, Parish hinted that the Eagles are gearing up for the sale of some key players in 2026. He said: “We’ve got one eye on players who we might have to replace in the summer.” “We’re not going to throw it all on red and have a massive problem. Unless you want to be in a situation where you’re constantly putting in money every year, there’s a cash limit to what you can spend.” “You can’t spend money you don’t have. You have to have some guardrails as a club, or you’ll build up big problems down the track. Everyone saw where prices went in the summer; it’s a difficult landscape.” Palace sold Eberechi Eze to Arsenal this summer, while Michael Olise moved to Bayern Munich in 2024. As such, there’s a fair chance that Wharton’s time at Selhurst Park could come to an end in six months, and United will be hoping his next destination is Old Trafford. Final Thoughts Wharton’s potential arrival at Old Trafford in 2026 could transform United, and close a very serious gap in Amorim’s set-up. The Englishman’s ability to control games could help the Red Devils hit a higher gear, and allow Bruno Fernandes to have an even greater impact in the final third. However, recent reports suggest that the player wants to play in the Champions League next season, so United may have to secure a top-four finish this season if they are to get their man. Featured image Matt McNulty 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 Deepungsu Pandit Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.