Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke has openly questioned whether Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is the solution to the club's long-standing search for a dominant number six, despite the Red Devils reportedly considering a move for the £60 million-rated star.
United's Midfield Conundrum
The former United striker, a key member of the iconic 1999 treble-winning squad, expressed significant reservations about the 21-year-old's readiness for such a pivotal role at Old Trafford. This comes as United bosses continue to scour the market to bolster manager Ruben Amorim's options in the centre of the park.
United invested around £220 million in new signings during the summer transfer window following a dismal 2024/25 campaign. The club welcomed Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Diego Leon, and Senne Lammens to the 'Theatre of Dreams'. After a rocky start to the current season, the heavy investment appears to be paying dividends, with the team currently on a five-match unbeaten run that has lifted them to seventh in the Premier League table.
Yorke's Verdict on Wharton and the 'Number Six' Search
Despite the improved form, the central midfield remains a key area of focus. The club's hierarchy had actively explored a deal for Brighton's Carlos Baleba in the summer, but were forced to abandon their pursuit after the Seagulls made it clear they had no intention of selling the Cameroonian international.
This has led United to draw up a shortlist of alternatives, which is said to include Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace's Wharton. While Forest are reportedly demanding a staggering fee in excess of £100 million for Anderson, Wharton is believed to be available for a sum between £60 million and £70 million.
However, Yorke remains unconvinced. 'I'm not sure Adam Wharton is the answer. He's still not quite there for me yet and that's an area of concern we have to look to improve,' Yorke told Snabbare. 'It is a gap in this Manchester United team. You look at the history behind the football club in its most successful years and they always had a fantastic number six in that position.'
Yorke emphasised the critical importance of finding a player who can 'dictate the pace' of a game from a deep-lying midfield position. He pointed to the inconsistent performances of Casemiro and described the role as the 'most crucial' on the pitch.
'It's a tough gig that one to find the right players and I think that's why they're struggling,' he added. 'They haven't got that player who can set the floor of the game, as I always call it, and dictate the pace, who defends but passes the ball forwards, and can see the pass. These types of players are rare.'
Wharton's Response to Transfer Speculation
In a light-hearted moment, the treble-winner even joked that his former teammate Michael Carrick could probably still do a job in Amorim's midfield today, underscoring his belief that the current market options are overhyped.
Meanwhile, Adam Wharton himself has been keen to distance himself from the relentless transfer gossip. The young midfielder, who played a crucial role in Crystal Palace's FA Cup triumph last season, insists he is not paying attention to the rumours.
'Not really, to be honest. I don't really look into it or think too much about it,' Wharton told The Athletic when asked if the speculation affected him. 'There's always rumours floating about on social media... I don't really read into it too much. I see it and I'm like, 'Okay,' and just carry on with my day.'
He revealed that he often learns about supposed interest from friends and family messaging him, but remains philosophical. 'United, the big teams, they're all linked to 10-20 players. If I'm one in 20, it's nothing special. It doesn't really mean too much.'
Looking ahead, the 21-year-old has vowed to 'keep working and improving', believing that if he continues on his current path, his long-term ambitions will take care of themselves. For now, his focus remains firmly on helping Crystal Palace propel themselves up the Premier League table after a mixed start to the campaign.
