Man United could sign their next Michael Carrick with blockbuster £70m swoop for Crystal Palace starlet

When Manchester United welcome Everton in their first Premier League game after the international break, they will be looking to extend an unbeaten streak of over two months as Ruben Amorim’s project at Old Trafford appears to be rounding into shape.

Five other clubs have managed a similar run in the top flight since the 40-year-old took over while Crystal Palace are on their way to equalling it, so the Red Devils aren’t exactly tracking towards a first division title since 2013, but it’s Manchester United are at least looking like one of the better teams in the league for the first time under Amorim.

Casemiro’s resurgence in that time - he averages a 7.36 match rating on WhoScored in the last five games compared to 6.84 in the Premier League last season (similar to Ibrahima Konate this campaign) - has been a major part of that upturn.

Since Opta began collecting the data in 2017-18, Casemiro has only averaged more goal-creating actions than this season in three campaigns (two of them in the Spanish capital) but the 33-year-old Brazilian in the last year of his contract clearly isn’t a long-term option.

Instead, Manchester United need a youthful upgrade in the centre of the park and a Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton is the player to take the Red Devils to the next level.

Carrick-esque Adam Wharton the missing piece in Amorim’s Old Trafford puzzle

While Wharton would be taking over Casemiro’s role in central midfield, he can establish a legacy similar to Michael Carrick at Old Trafford. And he’s already emulating the 44-year-old’s oft-overlooked international reputation espite Wharton’s impressive performances for Crystal Palace in that time, he’s yet to add to his 28 minutes for the Three Lions.

In that time, 17 other players have appeared in midfield for The Three Lions (14 of them as starters) including Jordan Henderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones and Angel Gomes and while injuries haven’t helped, Wharton has already racked up 842 minutes watching England from the bench.

After a brace of appearances in 2001 Carrick had to wait four years to get back on the pitch for The Three Lions, despite making the 2003/2004 PFA Team of the Year, and he only went on to win 31 more caps. The similarities go much deeper than that though, as Wharton has the same ability to impact the game in and out possession.

Excluding those who played in the forward line, only six players made more shot-creating actions in the Premier League last season and Wharton was ahead of creative stars including Bryan Mbeumo, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo and Morgan Gibbs-White according to Opta via FBref.com.

Only 13% of midfielders averaged more dribblers challenged than Wharton too, with the Englishman’s burgeoning reputation attracting suitors beyond the Premier League. He’s simply everything you want in a midfielder - tenacious, industrious, level headed, technically brilliant and a visionary - and could run Manchester United’s midfield for the next decade at least.

Given the lucrative improvements to Manchester United’s attack in the summer and the defensive strengthening aided by Leny Yoro and Senne Lammens, bringing in such a world-class midfielder could be the final piece in turning The Red Devils into a genuine challenge for Champions League qualification.

Manchester United ready to challenge heavyweights in the transfer market

One of the major problems facing Manchester United in the summer transfer window was a diminished level of attraction even as one of the biggest clubs in world football, given their lack of European football, recent success and woeful track record of developing players. Of The Red Devils’ marquee signings in the 2020s, only Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo would’ve been classed as unquestionable successes while the list of big-name failures is as expensive as it is star-studded.

Jadon Sancho, Antony, Donny van de Beek, Mason Mount and Andre Onana are among the stars who’ve watched their careers stall and their international prospects go up in flames at Old Trafford while, so it was unsurprising that Wharton was unwilling to commit his future to Manchester United in the summer. However, the tide is beginning to turn with The Red Devils fifth in the Premier League form table over the last five games and if they can keep this up, Old Trafford will begin to be a top destination for the best talent once again.

Crystal Palace have reportedly stopped short of slapping a nine-figure price tag on the 21-year-old, instead demanding £70 million according to TEAMtalk.

The figure seems rather low considering Wharton’s talent, proven ability in the Premier League and importance to The Eagles especially following the departure of Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi’s impending exit. That’s not Manchester United’s concern though. If Wharton can fulfil his potential have even half the impact at Old Trafford that Carrick did, he will finally set up The Red Devils to regularly challenge for trophies once again.