Manchester United told ‘owl-like’ Premier League star must be summer transfer target to play with Kobbie Mainoo

Manchester United fans could be having a hoot next season – but only if they sign one ‘owl-like’ Premier League star.

The Red Devils are resurgent under interim manager Michael Carrick and beat rivals Liverpool 3-2 to confirm Champions League qualification for next season.

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However, they are set to lose Casemiro this summer who has been vital in their return to the higher echelons of the Premier League.

He looks set to join either Inter Miami or LA Galaxy, although there is interest from Saudi Arabia and Turkey too.

With European football back on the agenda, a replacement needs to be top quality.

And Arsenal title winner Perry Groves believes he knows the perfect player to replace him.

Who should replace Casemiro?

“I know I’ve waxed lyrical about him before but you watch Adam Wharton play and he’s like a Rolls Royce of a player,” he said while reporting on Crystal Palace’s loss to Bournemouth.

“He looks like he’s never sprinting. He just sort of jogs about but he’s always in the right position.

“His awareness in the game is unreal. He’s got like the owl’s head where he can like play players passes or around him where he can go into Jean-Philippe Mateta or into Ismaila Sarr.

“If you’re Manchester United and they have said, obviously, Casemiro is going, he’s got to be on your radar to go and play in that centre midfield role with Kobbie Mainoo.”

After the match finished, talkSPORT host Adrian Durham then asked why Groves was recommending Wharton for a transfer to Manchester United.

Why should Manchester United sign Wharton?

He added: “Because Man United are looking for a central midfield player and to be fair they’re playing the right players in the right positions now, which Mike Bassett – Ruben Amorim – was never ever doing.

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“But when you’re playing in that centre midfield in the modern-day game you’ve got to be athletic which Adam Wharton is and you’ve got to have vision and you’ve got to be very calm and composed which he is.

“You’re going to mention that if you go, obviously, it’s a bigger shirt. So I personally I think if you’re the coaching staff and the recruitment you’ll be looking at probably Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest to fill that midfield.

“Not a bad choice really.”

talkSPORT does, though, understand that Liverpool are also interested in Wharton in the summer.

It’s believed Palace would want around £80million for the England international.

Who else could Manchester United sign?

In terms of midfielders, the Red Devils have been linked with a host of players alongside Wharton.

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One of those, although in a slightly different mould, is Morgan Rogers.

It’s felt he could leave Aston Villa whether they secure Champions League football or not.

Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Arsenal are also suitors which could harm their chances of getting a deal over the line.

talkSPORT also understands that Atalanta’s Ederson is someone being looked at for the summer window.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni is another being looked at with two midfielders likely to join.

The France international, though, could cost around £70m should they decide to go for him.

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