Rio Ferdinand has called on his former side Manchester United to move quickly to beat Liverpool two transfer targets during the summer window.
Adam Wharton has been linked with several top sides ahead of the transfer window opening, including Liverpool, with United, Manchester City and even Real Madrid mentioned as possible destinations for the Crystal Palace and England star.
But Ferdinand, who played 455 times for United, said Wharton would be the perfect addition to the side’s current midfield. He added he wants the Red Devils to try and sign Matheus Cunha, another player who has been linked with Liverpool.
“I would sell another central midfielder this summer to play alongside Manuel Ugarte,” the ex-defender said on his Rio Ferdinand Presents show. “That player needs to be able to take the ball and transfer it up the pitch. You know who I would go for? Adam Wharton.
“I would go and get him. The reason I would take him is he can get on the ball and transfer it up the pitch, he’s got a great range of passing. I think he would be a great addition to the United squad. He reminds me of Michael Carrick a bit.”
Wharton joined Palace in January 2024 and enjoyed a sharp rise, playing in all 16 Premier League games after his arrival, a run of form which earned him an unlikely call-up to the England squad for Euro 2024.
The 21-year-old didn’t play a single minute in Germany last year and has dropped back to the Under-21s in what has been an injury-plagued season for the midfielder. He underwent groin surgery in November but has since returned to the team, starting the last four league matches, which has coincided with Palace’s upturn in form.
(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
Oliver Glasner’s side have moved up to 11th thanks to a run of four wins in the last five, while it faces Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final later this month.
Liverpool was heavily linked with the player last summer but the latest reports have indicated that the Reds will not pursue a deal for the former Blackburn Rovers man. The Daily Mail claimed last week that Real is considering a summer move, with Palace valuing Wharton at around £70 million ($88M).
Ferdinand has also called for United to sign another reported target in Cunha, who has admitted he would like to leave Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer.
“Another one I’d buy is Cunha,” Ferdinand said. “He’s made it clear he wants to leave, I would buy him if I was Manchester United. Cunha for one of those No. 10 positions would be great because he’s a really dynamic player.”
