Crystal Palace Blocks Wharton Move as Manchester United Pursues Left-Back Options

Pierre Sage has drawn a firm line in the sand over Adam Wharton’s future – and Manchester United are on the wrong side of it.

The new Crystal Palace manager made it clear the England midfielder will not be leaving Selhurst Park this summer, despite sustained interest from Old Trafford.

“We sold big players and now I think it's not the moment to do that,” Sage said ahead of Palace’s return to Premier League action this weekend. “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.”

Palace have already cashed in on several key names. Wharton, Sage insists, will not be the next.

United turn to left-back hunt after Baleba push

With Wharton off the table, United’s attention has swung back to an increasingly urgent problem on the left side of defence.

The club are working to complete a deal for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, having lodged a bid worth around £60million plus £5m in add-ons. Baleba would become the latest piece in a rebuilt midfield that already includes Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, signed after Casemiro’s departure and Manuel Ugarte’s serious World Cup injury.

But Michael Carrick wants more.

“I just think we're looking to strengthen the squad,” the United boss said in his pre-Hull City press conference. “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.”

The midfield reshuffle is only half the story. The real scramble now is at left-back.

Balde, Raum, Salinas – a crowded shortlist, few easy deals

United have sounded out Barcelona over Alejandro Balde and, according to reports in Spain, have “made contact” with the player’s camp. The answer has not been encouraging. Balde is understood to be happy at the Nou Camp, and Barca have no desire to push him out.

So United are widening the net.

GIVEMESPORT report that RB Leipzig’s David Raum has been offered to the club. With the Germany international entering the final year of his contract, Leipzig could be ready to sell rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer.

From Spain, Infobae claim United have now “burst into negotiations” to sign Racing Santander’s 19-year-old left-back Jorge Salinas. Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are also tracking the teenager, whose current deal includes a reported £13.7m release clause.

United are also understood to have looked at Lewis Hall and Myles Lewis-Skelly, but so far that interest has gone nowhere.

The result? A lot of names, not much clarity.

Carrick’s dilemma: only Shaw standing

Behind all the noise lies a simple reality for Carrick: his options at left-back are thin.

With Patrick Dorgu seen more as a player for advanced roles and youngster Harry Amass expected to leave, Luke Shaw stands as the only senior specialist in the position. The 31-year-old has a history of injury problems, even if he came through last season unscathed, and he has less than a year left on his contract.

That combination – age, fitness record, contract situation – is driving United’s urgency. They need cover, they need competition, and they need a succession plan.

Raum offers experience. Salinas offers potential. Balde would have been the statement signing. For now, none of them are through the door.

Rashford back in the fold – for now

On the other side of the pitch, Marcus Rashford’s future remains a live issue, even as his present looks increasingly red.

The forward has returned from his season-long loan at Barcelona and has been reintegrated into Carrick’s squad for pre-season and the start of the campaign. United are still understood to be open to offers before the window closes, but the likelihood of a late departure is fading.

Carrick, asked whether Rashford had expressed a desire to stay beyond deadline day, instead chose to highlight the player’s attitude on the training pitch, saying he has trained “fantastically well”.

With no firm bids on the table and time ticking away, Rashford is now on course to play a central role again at Old Trafford.

Window heats up as season kicks off

United always looked destined to be busy in the final two weeks of the summer window. Karl Darlow, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have already arrived. Baleba is close. A left-back is next on the list.

All this unfolds as the Premier League season kicks off. Champions Arsenal open at home to newly-promoted Coventry City, before Carrick’s United travel to another top-flight newcomer, Hull City, in Saturday’s early game.

The squad is changing, the system is evolving, and the clock is ticking.

United know exactly what they need. The question now is whether the market will let them get it before the window slams shut.