Adam Wharton: Wes Brown explains why United should sign Palace gem

Manchester United’s ongoing midfield rebuild has drawn a ringing endorsement from one of the club’s former defenders, Wes Brown, who has urged Old Trafford decision-makers to set their sights on Crystal Palace prodigy Adam Wharton.

Speaking to Metro after watching Palace face United, Brown said the 22-year-old is the perfect foil for emerging star Kobbie Mainoo and believes Wharton’s composure and technical quality would translate seamlessly to life at the Theatre of Dreams.

“He is so good on the ball,” Brown said of the former Blackburn Rovers academy graduate, who joined Palace earlier this year. The 46-year-old, who also began his career at Blackburn, praised Wharton’s calmness in possession and underlined how the midfielder “stood out” during the recent meeting between the two clubs.

Brown, who made more than 350 appearances for United, described Wharton as “very athletic” and “very complete,” insisting the England youth international would be “a great asset for the club” and could forge “a great partnership” with Mainoo in the engine room.

Any move for Wharton would come at a premium. Palace are attempting to tie the midfielder to a new long-term deal, yet he has not put pen to paper, leaving his future open to speculation. Real Madrid are among the heavyweight clubs monitoring developments, while United continue to weigh up a host of midfield reinforcements, including Newcastle’s Elliot Anderson and AC Milan’s Sandro Tonali, as they map out summer transfer strategy.

With the midfield overhaul remaining a priority and Wharton’s signature still unsecured, Brown’s recommendation adds a persuasive voice to the debate over who should anchor United’s next generation.