Crystal Palace Blocks Wharton Exit as United Pursues Left-Back

Pierre Sage has drawn a clear line in the sand over Adam Wharton’s future – Crystal Palace’s new manager is not prepared to lose another cornerstone of his side.

With the club already cashing in on several major names this summer, Sage used his pre‑match press conference before Palace’s Premier League return to make his stance unmistakable. Wharton, linked strongly with Manchester United in recent months, will not be leaving Selhurst Park in this window.

“We sold big players and now I think it's not the moment to do that,” Sage said. “Adam can play at a big club but I think one year with us, one year with a new dynamic, will be good for him and we need him.”

United will have to look elsewhere. And they are.

United push on with Baleba – and a left‑back hunt

At Old Trafford, the picture is very different. The window is entering its decisive stretch and United are trying to accelerate.

The club is closing in on Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, with a bid of around £60m plus £5m in add-ons lodged to land the 20‑year‑old. He would join Karl Darlow, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans as part of a significant summer rebuild in the middle of the pitch, following Casemiro’s departure and Manuel Ugarte’s serious World Cup injury.

Baleba has been keen on the move since United’s first enquiries last summer, and an agreement with Brighton is expected. Michael Carrick, who had already urged the club earlier this month to keep pushing in the market, sounds encouraged by the direction of travel.

“I just think we're looking to strengthen the squad,” the United manager said before this weekend’s trip to newly-promoted Hull City. “We're certainly working towards that, making the most of the situation that we have and trying to improve things and trying to move forward.

“We're certainly trying to make the most of the opportunities to finish the window stronger than we went into it. And I think we're a good way to doing that, so far.”

But Baleba is only part of the story. The real scramble now is at left-back.

Balde, Raum, Salinas – a crowded shortlist, a thin position

United have moved to address a glaring issue on the left side of defence. With Patrick Dorgu viewed as an option higher up the pitch and youngster Harry Amass expected to leave, Carrick is effectively left with only Luke Shaw as a senior left-back.

Shaw, 31, has a long history of injury problems, though he managed to stay fit throughout last season. United are unwilling to gamble on that luck holding.

The club has “made contact” with the representatives of Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde as they explore options, but the message back from Spain is blunt: the 20‑year‑old is happy where he is. Journalist Fabrizio Romano has also reported that Balde is content at the Nou Camp, leaving United facing a tough sell if they want to prise him away.

So attention has widened.

GIVEMESPORT report that United have been offered RB Leipzig’s David Raum, who is into the final year of his contract and could be sold to avoid a free transfer exit. Racing Santander’s Jorge Salinas has also been presented as an option.

Infobae go further on Salinas, claiming United have “burst into negotiations” for the 19‑year‑old, who has a £13.7m release clause in his Santander deal. Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are also interested, underlining the level of competition for one of Spain’s more highly regarded young full-backs.

For now, though, nothing is over the line. United know they need at least one more body at left-back before the deadline. The market knows it too.

Rashford’s future, Carrick’s call

While United scour Europe for defenders, one of their most high-profile forwards is back through the door.

Marcus Rashford has returned from a season-long loan at Barcelona and rejoined Carrick’s squad for pre-season. His future has been the subject of constant speculation, with United understood to be open to offers in the final weeks of the window.

Inside Carrington, the tone is slightly different. Asked whether Rashford had expressed a desire to stay, Carrick instead chose to highlight the forward’s response on the training pitch.

He praised Rashford for training “fantastically well”, a pointed compliment as the 28‑year‑old fights to re-establish himself. The growing expectation is that he will be reintegrated into the squad for the new campaign, unless a sizeable late bid changes the landscape.

For Carrick, who has already welcomed Darlow, Santos and Tielemans and is pushing hard for Baleba, the message is consistent: keep adding, keep raising the level.

New season, same pressure

The new Premier League season opens with champions Arsenal hosting Coventry City, and United are up early the following day, away to Hull City in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.

The backdrop is familiar. A club trying to catch up with the very best, a manager demanding more reinforcements, and a squad still being reshaped as the competitive games begin.

Palace have shut down talk of Wharton. United, by contrast, are still very much in play – chasing a midfielder, juggling left-back options, weighing up Rashford’s role.

The window is running out. How much business can they really cram into these final days?