Man United must go all out to sign ‘fantastic’ Casemiro replacement who plays like Michael Carrick
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(Credit: Imago)
Michael Mongie
Wed 24 September 2025 6:45, UK
Manchester United are back to winning ways after the dramatic win over Chelsea, but they still need more quality in their team to compete at the highest level.
Ruben Amorim deserves more recognition for improving Manchester United’s attack, even if there is a lot of work to be done defensively after the Red Devils conceded eight goals in six games to start the Premier League season.
Amorim remains under pressure to perform at Old Trafford amid talk of the Portuguese losing his job, but he will be bolstered by the news that Diogo Dalot has returned to Manchester United training this week.
With the right moves, Manchester United and Amorim could succeed together, which is why they need to get one signing correct either in January or next summer.
Credit: Imago
Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch was the most impressive holding midfielder in the Premier League last season, but not too far behind him was Crystal Palace’s super-talented Adam Wharton.
The Englishman is fantastic at winning the ball, as evidenced by the data below, but he needs to work on being more consistent with his passing.
Wharton is willing to take risks; however, he creates more big chances by being less conservative in possession.
Games27Minutes1,706Assists2Yellow cards3Ball recoveries (per 90)6.22Successful Take-On %71.4%Pass accuracy75.4%Key passes (per 90)1.98Adam Wharton’s stats from the 2024-25 season (via Sofascore)
Wharton has been linked with Liverpool, but with his contract expiring in 2029, interested clubs will have some tricky negotiations on their hands to prise him away from Palace.
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Casemiro may have limited time left at the club given his poor performances for the club since he swapped Madrid for Manchester and Wharton would be a smart replacement with Rio Ferdinand comparing him to Michael Carrick.
Ferdinand said: “We’ve been talking about Baleba, he’s been the hot topic for the last month or so, but before that, Adam Wharton was one of the guys I was saying [United should sign].
“He’s the nearest to a Michael Carrick type, who’s a controller, who can play, who plays forward from that deeper line position at times.
He can be an eight if you need him to be and can run on at times if need be, but he’s more of a conductor and can control things.
“I watched him in a couple of games last season against big teams like Man City and Liverpool, and he looks unfazed.
I think he’s a fantastic footballer.”
All the biggest Premier League clubs have been linked with Wharton in some capacity over the last 12 months, and beating them to his signature is one way United can look to return to the top.
The Crystal Palace midfielder is one of the best controllers in England and will not be out of place by joining one of the big sides at the end of the season.