Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has named his first choice midfield signing for the club.
Manchester United’s lack of midfield control was a problem in the 1-1 draw to Fulham, especially after going 1-0 up. United relinquished the lead and had to settle for a point.
It has intensified the debate over whether Manchester United could pursue another midfielder before the end of the transfer window.
United’s efforts to sign Carlos Baleba were knocked back by Brighton, while the club have also expressed interest in Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.
Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty ImagesRio Ferdinand prefers Adam Wharton to Carlos Baleba
Speaking 24 hours after Manchester United’s 1-1 draw away at Fulham, Rio Ferdinand was asked about who his ideal midfield signing would be.
Speaking on YouTube, Ferdinand responded by saying he would prefer to see United sign Adam Wharton than Carlos Baleba, citing his versatility, and compared him to his former teammate Michael Carrick.
He said: “I like Wharton, I mean, Baleba as well. But they are very different players.
“But Wharton… in terms of controlling the tempo for us. He’s the nearest thing I’ve seen for a while to Carrick in terms of these things ticking. He can move, he can become an eight in certain phases of the game. He can come be a six, receive it, and get us going.
“I think he’s a player that could really get the tempo going again to the one that he wants, and control it.”
Ferdinand had previously talked up Adam Wharton‘s ability to deliver in big games, claiming to be impressed with his performances for Palace in the FA Cup Final against City and the Community Shield against Liverpool, with Palace winning both.
Ferdinand challenged over Wharton likelihood
Crystal Palace have just sold Eberechi Eze to Arsenal for £68 million, and are not thought to be under any financial pressure to sell Adam Wharton.
Whenever United have been linked to Wharton, figures of £100 million have been cited as a deterrent.
Ferdinand accepts a deal with Palace is unlikely in this current transfer window, similar to a move for Carlos Baleba.
“I think they’re just, you can’t get them, so they’re gonna have to make do with what they have now, until the window opens again in January, it might change that or wait until summer.”
Waiting until next summer sounds like an impossibly long wait right now, and Ruben Amorim may not have this luxury, with fans already growing frustrated.