Carrick eyes £85m Wharton and Kim Min-jae as United target double swoop

Manchester United are pursuing a double reinforcement of their squad before the transfer window closes, with manager Michael Carrick identifying Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae as priority targets.

Wharton, 22, has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most sought-after midfielders and is valued at approximately £85m by Crystal Palace. United retain a strong interest in the England international, though Palace hold the upper hand with Wharton contracted at Selhurst Park until 2029.

Former United midfielder Paul Scholes has publicly backed the move, calling Wharton the ideal fit for Carrick’s squad. “I can’t believe they’re not trying to buy Adam Wharton,” Scholes said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast. “Sandro Tonali would have been my first-choice but with him gone now, Adam Wharton looks perfect to me.”

On the defensive front, reports from Germany indicate that Carrick has added South Korea international Kim Min-jae to his transfer shortlist. Persistent injury concerns surrounding Leny Yoro and Lisandro Martinez, combined with questions over Harry Maguire’s long-term future at the club, have prompted United to seek cover at centre-back. Kim had been heavily linked with Chelsea earlier in the window before they completed the £52m signing of Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace.

United’s summer business to date has been relatively modest. The club have brought in Youri Tielemans, goalkeeper Karl Darlow, and midfielder Andrey Santos, while allowing Casemiro, Radek Vitek, and Rasmus Hojlund to depart permanently. Altay Bayindir has left on a temporary basis, joining Celta Vigo on loan.

Carrick’s side open their Premier League campaign against Hull City on Saturday, with the manager keen to add further depth before the window shuts.