Wharton is the new Carrick
Manchester United continue to be linked with a move for Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton – and a former Eagles star believes the midfielder is the ‘new’ Michael Carrick.
United are keen to bolster their midfielder options and the 21-year-old England international fits the bill following his stand-out performances for his club this season.
Clinton Morrison, who enjoyed two spells at Selhurst Park, is convinced Wharton could fill a void United have been missing.
“He's majestic - one and two touch, and I feel now he's getting back to his best form,” said Morrison. “As a centre forward, we love to play with someone like that because he's got so much natural ability. He reminds me a lot of Michael Carrick with the way he plays. He was comfortable with both feet and just like a Rolls Royce.
“The way he sits there and just dictates is just like Carrick. Carrick always wanted to pass forward and that's what Adam Wharton wants to do. Even though he might lose the ball, he'll keep playing those passes because there will be times where he does play that incisive pass forward which comes off and then his team have got a good chance of scoring – he's not afraid and never shirks responsibility.
“He's so elegant. He just needs to stay fit and add a few more goals to his game and he'll go right to the top. But for me, he'll be playing Champions League football in the next year or two and being a regular for England. I think he's outstanding.”
Wharton will once again be in action when Palace host Manchester City on Sunday afternoon. It is fourth versus second in the Premier League table with both teams in decent form following excellent midweek victories in Europe.
Palace made easy work of Shelbourne with a 3-0 Conference League win in Dublin, while City were in Champions League action, beating Real Madrid 2-1 in the Estadio Bernabéu.
Speaking to Freebets, Morrison said: “You have to make Man City favourites simply because Palace have a lot of injuries at the moment. Munoz is going to be out and he's one of the best wing backs there is.
“Palace's squad is not big enough anyway, so you make Man City favourites. But one thing you can guarantee is they'll be competitive because under Glasner, that's what they've been.
“They've been outstanding and I think he's done a brilliant job since he's gone there. They're fourth in the league at the minute and they've got a lot of games coming. Playing Thursday-Sunday is never easy but they're managing that really well and still picking up wins, but a game against Man City is always a huge test.”