Crystal Palace legend Clinton Morrison believes that midfielder Adam Wharton will leave the club at the end of the season, with Manchester United being a potential destination for the young England star. The FA Cup winners have been hit hard with several significant setbacks, including the departure of club captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City and manager Oliver Glasner's scathing criticism of the club's owners for "abandoning" the team. Things have been further complicated by striker Jean-Philippe Mateta expressing his desire to leave before the January transfer window closes.
Wharton, who is only 21 years old, is highly sought after by clubs in the Premier League and is considered to be Palace's most valuable asset. Manchester United is reportedly planning to rebuild their midfield in the summer and have identified Wharton as one of their top targets, along with Brighton's Carlos Baleba and Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson. Despite the turmoil at the club, Morrison is confident that Wharton will not be swayed by the current situation and will remain focused on the season ahead.
As a club legend who scored 112 goals across two spells with Palace, Morrison is no stranger to the ups and downs of the club. He acknowledges that Guehi's departure could lead to more drama, especially with Mateta's potential exit. However, he believes that Palace will be able to weather the storm and come out stronger, as they have in the past. Morrison also highlights the importance of key players like Ismaila Sarr and Daniel Munoz, who have been instrumental in the team's success.
When it comes to finding a replacement for Glasner, who will leave at the end of the season, Morrison admits that it's difficult to predict who will be available. He points out that no one expected Glasner to join Palace until it happened, and he has turned out to be one of the club's best managers. As for the rumors linking Gareth Southgate to the job, Morrison believes that Palace will wait until the summer to make any decisions, as there will be many managerial changes across the league.
Morrison also weighs in on Wharton's potential move to United, saying that he believes the midfielder is a perfect fit for the Red Devils. He also mentions that Wharton could thrive at a club like Real Madrid, but ultimately, it will be up to the player to decide his future. With his intelligence and talent, Morrison is confident that Wharton will continue to improve and attract even more interest from top clubs. He also suggests that Wharton should stay at Palace for another year before making a move, as it will give him the opportunity to be a regular starter and prepare him for the next level.
Morrison draws parallels between Wharton and Declan Rice, who moved from West Ham United to Arsenal for a record-breaking fee of £100 million in 2023. He believes that Wharton has the potential to achieve the same success and even win the Europa Conference League with Palace before moving on to a bigger club. However, Morrison acknowledges that if a club offers a substantial amount for Wharton, it will be hard for Palace to turn it down. In the end, it will be a big decision for both the player and the club, and only time will tell where Wharton's future lies.
