Roy Keane's Glowing Assessment of Manchester United Target
Manchester United legend Roy Keane has offered a significant endorsement of Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, a player strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford. The 21-year-old's performances for both club and country have placed him firmly on the radar of the Red Devils as they formulate future transfer plans under Ruben Amorim.
What Sets Wharton Apart for Keane
Keane's analysis came during ITV's half-time coverage of England's recent 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory against Albania. Wharton started the match and played for 75 minutes, contributing to a perfect qualifying campaign for Thomas Tuchel's side. The young midfielder notably created three chances, the most of any player in the game, strengthening his case for a spot in England's squad for the upcoming tournament in North America.
It was here that Keane delivered his verdict. "I do like Adam Wharton," the former Manchester United captain stated. He immediately highlighted the attribute that he believes separates Wharton from his contemporaries. "A lot of the modern midfielders, their first option seems to be, 'Can I go sideways or backwards?' What I like about him, the first option he seems to look at is, 'Can I pass it forward?' and that's a big strength to have."
Advice for the Young Star's Development
While full of praise, Keane also offered some characteristic advice for the youngster's development. He suggested that as Wharton matures at the top level, he should learn to "put demands onto people." Keane observed, "He's a bit soft there. Shout at players... 'Give me the ball!' That's what I used to do, I used to fall out with people a lot."
However, Keane was careful not to be too critical, acknowledging Wharton's relative inexperience. "He's still new to it, so I'm not going to be too harsh on him," he added. "But as he matures and starts playing more games, put demands on your team-mates."
Wharton, who joined Crystal Palace from Blackburn Rovers for an initial £18 million in January 2024, has already enjoyed success in South London, helping the club win the FA Cup and Community Shield this year.
When questioned recently by The Athletic about the persistent speculation linking him with Manchester United, Wharton remained remarkably level-headed. "I don't really look into it or think too much about it," he said. "There are always rumours floating about on social media. Is it true? Is it not? You tell me."
He revealed that friends and family often alert him to the rumours, to which he responds, "Thanks for telling me because I didn't know." Downplaying the significance, Wharton added, "United, the big teams, they're all linked to 10, 20 different players. If I'm one of 20, then it's nothing special, so it doesn't really mean too much."
The midfielder confirmed he discusses future possibilities with his agent but emphasised that any serious interest must be proven on the pitch, stating, "You've got to represent that on the pitch and prove that you deserve it."
