John Obi Mikel Predicts Adam Wharton to Manchester United

John Obi Mikel has nailed his colours to the mast over Adam Wharton’s future – and he sees the Crystal Palace midfielder ending up at Manchester United next year.

Wharton, 22, valued at around £60 million by Transfermarkt, stayed put at Selhurst Park during the recent window despite strong interest from across the Premier League. United were among the clubs tracking him going into the summer, yet INEOS chose a different route when it came to reshaping Michael Carrick’s midfield.

Instead of testing Palace’s resolve, United poured £148 million into the centre of the pitch, bringing in Andrey Santos, Carlos Baleba and Youri Tielemans as the backbone of Carrick’s new-look engine room.

That hasn’t dampened Obi Mikel’s enthusiasm. Speaking on his podcast, the former Chelsea midfielder could hardly have been more emphatic.

“I love him! I love Adam Wharton, I'm a big, big fan,” he said, before making his prediction. “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. I see him going to Manchester United next season.”

It’s a bold call. On current evidence, though, it clashes with United’s internal roadmap.

Those inside Old Trafford no longer view Wharton as a concrete target. The spending spree in midfield this year has shifted the club’s gaze towards the back line for the next phase of the rebuild. INEOS chose not to sign a single defender for Carrick over the last few months, a gamble that leaves the season exposed to any serious injury in defence – all with Champions League football back on the calendar.

That decision has already sparked debate. One setback at the back, and the entire campaign could tilt.

Looking Ahead

United’s hierarchy have a different long-term priority in mind. As it stands, the club’s key target for 2027 is believed to be Lewis Hall, earmarked as the ideal successor to Luke Shaw. The 31-year-old left-back is into the final nine months of his contract at Old Trafford, and the search for his heir is already shaping the club’s future transfer strategy.

So while Obi Mikel sees Wharton in red sooner rather than later, United’s own vision points towards another battle entirely – one fought on the defensive flank, not in the heart of midfield.