Manchester United have decided against signing free agent David Alaba, while a former Premier League star has predicted the club will beat rivals to Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton next summer.
The club completed three major midfield signings this summer, bringing in Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, Andrey Santos from Chelsea, and Carlos Baleba from Brighton. The additions provide depth and quality for manager Michael Carrick as United compete across four competitions.
Wharton tipped for United move
Crystal Palace retained Adam Wharton this summer, but former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel believes the England international will leave Selhurst Park next season. The 22-year-old has attracted interest from numerous clubs after impressing during nearly three years in south London.
Wharton has been linked with Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool over the past 12 months. Speaking during a live Q&A with AFTV's Robbie Lyle on The Obi One Podcast, Obi Mikel said: "I love him! I love Adam Wharton, I'm a big, big fan. I think he's going to go places, though, I think next season he will leave Crystal Palace. I think they want to keep him for one more season, and I see him going to Manchester United next season."
Alaba pursuit ruled out
United have moved away from recruiting big-name players past their peak, a strategy that once brought Bastian Schweinsteiger, Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo to the club. According to the Manchester Evening News, a move for free agent David Alaba has been ruled out by Carrick's side.
United correspondent Tyrone Marshall was asked during a Q&A with supporters why the club were not pursuing Alaba alongside fellow former Real Madrid stars Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal. He answered: "From what I have been told, United aren't looking at the free agent market. Many of these players available are past their best; Ramos and Carvajal certainly fit that description. Others have been released because their games have regressed, such as Alaba."
"Essentially, they are free agents for a reason, but they are also players who in the past have been paid very handsomely. They don't fit the recruitment model that Ineos have introduced at Old Trafford."
