Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has responded to renewed reports linking Adam Wharton with Manchester United, insisting the club is under no immediate pressure to sell the midfielder.

Reports in the English press say Manchester United have joined the list of suitors, with manager Ruben Amorim said to have specifically requested Wharton as a replacement for Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo. Parish addressed that speculation during an appearance on talkSPORT and made clear Palace’s stance.

“If Manchester United want Adam Wharton, that’s nothing surprising really about that,” Parish said.

“The fact of the matter is he’s got a long contract to run. There’s no pressure on us to do it, and I don’t think there’s any real pressure from the player either.”

Palace are understood to be keen to reward Wharton’s emergence by offering a new contract, but Parish acknowledged competition for the midfielder’s signature will complicate talks. The chairman also warned that the player’s ambitions could ultimately be a factor.

“I think Adam at some point will want to play either in the Champions League with us, if we can make that happen, or probably with another club,” he continued.

Parish stressed Wharton’s focus remains on Palace and on building consistent game time after a disrupted previous season.

“He’s an extraordinary talent. I think right now, and I can’t speak for Adam, but I think he’s focused on his time at Crystal Palace.

“He had a broken season last season with the groin issues that he had that a lot of young players get. I think this season he’s completely focused on putting the games in, getting in the England squad, being a regular for us, and making sure that he can show that Saturday or Sunday, Thursday, Sunday. It’s a difficult programme for us right now.

“I think he’s very committed to the club. I don’t know where all this stuff comes from.”

Palace’s negotiating position, Parish indicated, is strengthened by Wharton’s contract and by the club’s desire to retain a key young midfielder unless an exceptional offer arrives.

Jürgen Klopp has sought to calm concerns around Liverpool’s recent dip and the adaptation of new signing Florian Wirtz.

Wirtz, signed from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of £116 million ($154.7 million), is 22 and has yet to contribute to a goal in a competitive fixture. The midfielder’s early performances have prompted scrutiny following a run in which Liverpool lost three games in a row.

Klopp defended the player and the club’s handling of the situation, telling Sport: “With Florian Wirtz, I simply don’t have to worry because his quality is so outstanding.” He added context on the wider reaction: “The discussions are a bit exaggerated. Liverpool just lost three games in a row, which is unusual. But that’s also normal in life. And that’s why such things are discussed there. Now I’ve been in the middle of such discussions long enough and can say: Nothing could interest people there less than the public discussions.”

Offering practical advice, Klopp said: “Basically, it can’t hurt to develop a bit of a thicker skin, and that’s no different with Florian. But he has a stable environment, and the club is great in moments like these. So, if anyone’s worried: You don’t have to be, you can stop. Everything will be fine!”

Wirtz’s wait for a goal or an assist at Liverpool has drawn attention beyond the club. Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann defended the player’s contributions, saying: “Even though he hasn’t scored any goals, he is still the player who creates the most chances in the Premier League.” He added: “It’s not his fault if his teammates don’t convert them, and the statistics don’t even tell the whole story.”

A review of wider Premier League numbers in the draft does not support Nagelsmann’s specific claim. Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes leads chance creation with 19, two ahead of Everton loanee Jack Grealish. Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo has 14 chances created, while Wirtz has 11. The statistics underline the scrutiny but also the context around a player adjusting after an expensive move.

Manchester United suffered another fitness concern during the international break when Ayden Heaven was hurt while featuring for England’s Under-20s on Friday. The 19-year-old required notable on-pitch treatment but was able to continue to the end of the first half. He was replaced at halftime by Crystal Palace’s Eyimofe Jemide.

England Under-20s boss Futcher was optimistic in his post-match comments but offered limited detail on the issue. “He picked something up,” said the England Under-20s boss. “I don’t think it is too serious but we will have to see how it settles down.” Futcher stressed the need to monitor how the problem develops in the coming days.

The timing of the setback is problematic for Manchester United as they prepare for a high-profile Premier League meeting with arch rivals and reigning champions Liverpool next weekend. Ruben Amorim will be managing squad selection while already contending with a depleted defensive group. Lisandro Martínez remains a long-term absentee, having been missing since February, and Noussair Mazraoui is a doubt for the trip to Anfield after sitting out the 2–0 win over Sunderland before the international period.

There are no further fixtures for England’s Under-20s during the October break, which should give Heaven a window to recover ahead of the Liverpool match. Given the circumstances, he is unlikely to be in the starting XI, but if fit he would offer useful depth to United’s defensive options for the weekend fixture.