"Second midfielder": David Ornstein reveals Man Utd's stance on signing Adam Wharton

Manchester United are poised to bolster their defensive midfield department at the end of the campaign.

The club have already confirmed Casemiro’s departure when his contract expires on June 30.

Manuel Ugarte’s future is also uncertain amid his struggles in the Premier League over the last two years. United could decide to cut their losses on the Uruguayan in the next transfer window.

Amidst this, reputed journalist David Ornstein has provided a transfer update.

Ornstein revealed that Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is the Red Devils’ priority midfield target.

Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton has also been linked with United, but the club only see him as a ‘second midfielder signing’ after the marquee purchase for the number six position.

Ornstein believes United may not meet Palace’s hefty demands to sign the 22-year-old. The Eagles reportedly value the Blackburn Rovers graduate at around £80 million this summer.

In a Q&A session on The Athletic, he said: “We know about the widespread admiration for Wharton, but Palace will demand a very high price for him, and it will be interesting to see if anybody is willing to pay it.

“For example, clubs like Man Utd would see him as an option for a second midfielder signing – not the first, which in their case would be Anderson or another – and therefore they might not want to go anywhere near the level of fee Palace will seek.”

Wharton’s playing style is similar to Kobbie Mainoo’s

United have a huge void to fill when Casemiro leaves on a Bosman deal.

The Brazilian’s form has been fantastic since announcing his exit. He has made several defensive involvements and has also chipped in with goals from set-pieces.

Despite this, there is no plan to reconsider his departure. United want to sign a younger defensive midfielder, who could make the position his own for the next decade.

Anderson looks the ideal solution for the Red Devils. He has won a stunning eight duels per league game this campaign with an average of three tackles and eight recoveries.

He is also good with the ball at his feet (89 percent passing accuracy) and has a tremendous work rate. As things stand, the Englishman is angling for a summer move to Manchester City instead.

Wharton does not appear to be an immediate alternative for United. That does not surprise us, given he is more of a forward-minded midfielder with an eye for regular line-breaking passes.

He has created 11 big chances in the league alone this campaign. Despite the positives, Wharton has won only four duels per outing and has a passing accuracy of just 79 percent this term.

His playing style is better suited to a central midfielder, in our view. With Mainoo possessing similar traits, United may prefer to recruit a number six, who can provide better control of proceedings.

Atalanta’s Ederson would be a super bargain signing this summer. Real Madrid star Eduardo Camavinga would be a statement acquisition for the Red Devils during the next transfer window.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .