James Featherstone, the agent for Adam Wharton, has outlined a structured pathway for the midfielder as he targets a regular England place. Central to that plan is Champions League football, a requirement Featherstone says any potential suitor must be able to meet if they are to help Wharton reach the international level.

United have been repeatedly linked with Wharton as a priority midfield target. The player is described in scouting terms as an upright defensive midfielder who lacks the lashings of physicality favoured by Ruben Amorim but offers a penetrative passing range that could improve supply to a costly frontline that can at times lack service.

Wharton also carries experience of operating in a 3-4-2-1 system that Amorim favours on team sheets, even though Crystal Palace set up differently. What he does not possess is Champions League experience.

Wharton’s rise has been rapid. A Blackburn Rovers academy graduate, he had not played a top-flight game before the start of 2024. Palace signed him in February 2024 and by the end of that season he had been called into the England squad for Euro 2024. Gareth Southgate did not give Wharton a single minute during England’s run to the final, and the 21-year-old waited until November to make his competitive debut under Thomas Tuchel.

Featherstone made clear that international recognition is the priority and explained the steps. “When he was at Blackburn we sat down and spoke about shooting for the stars and playing for England,” Featherstone outlined on talkSPORT . “So how do you get there? Personally I think to play for England you have to play Champions League, to play in the Champions League you have got to play for one of the top teams in one of the top leagues.

“That jump to a Champions League team [straight from the Championship], I think you can get lost. The plan below that was to play for a Premier League team.”

Featherstone also urged patience. “We have got a plan,” he insisted. “He [Wharton] is 21. I have to check myself to remember that every now and then. It doesn’t have to be achieved yesterday, today or this moment.

“He has got his in-game, in-season targets and goals. He has got to do his bit and the rest will look after itself in a very structured, calm way to ultimately add value and maximise his ability.”

Featherstone’s criteria mean that any destination, including Manchester United, would have to qualify for the Champions League. Ahead of Monday’s clash with rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers, Amorim’s side sit 12th but remain only three points adrift of the top five, with fifth likely to be sufficient for qualification this year. Amorim is not getting ahead of himself.

Marc Guehi leaned back, looked to the ceiling and faced questions about last summer’s collapsed transfer to Liverpool. Cornered in a rare interview, the club captain rejected the notion that the episode was painful, saying it “wasn’t difficult” to remain at Crystal Palace.

Reports said Guehi completed part of a Liverpool medical amid advanced negotiations before Palace executed a U-turn when it became clear they could not secure an adequate replacement. Manager Oliver Glasner has repeatedly denied suggestions that he threatened to quit during those hours.

Speaking to Sky Sports three months on, Guehi bristled at the phrase “difficult summer.” “I think everyone has this perception and idea that it was difficult,” he said with a wry smile. “It actually wasn’t difficult. It wasn’t difficult at all because when you’re focused on what’s the most important thing it becomes easy.

“I know that God has a plan for me and whatever that plan will be will come into fruition at some point. But the goal and the focus is always been playing football and trying to do that the best I can.”

Guehi’s apparent calm is tempered by the clear reality that the route to a move remains open. The 25-year-old will be a free agent next summer and there is expected to be a queue of suitors. Liverpool could yet make a move as soon as January.

Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp urged his old side to act, saying, “He would be a perfect fit for Liverpool.” After watching what was described as a calamitous defensive display against Leeds United on Saturday night, Redknapp added, “That’s exactly what they need to play alongside Virgil van Dijk. Then you can mix it up and play a back three if you wanted to do that. They need to get another centre back in.”

Those at Crystal Palace are understandably eager to hang on to their captain. Guehi’s Sky interview was conducted alongside defensive colleague Maxence Lacroix, who recalled his own reaction to the changing fortunes on Deadline Day. “To be honest, I will say when some people was saying that he will leave I was a little bit sad you know [in] my heart. ]”

Manchester United staged an impressive second-half turnaround at Selhurst Park on Sunday, inflicting a first home defeat upon Crystal Palace. Palace had entered the contest enjoying a 12-game unbeaten on home soil, while United looked to be reeling after suffering a historic defeat to Everton at Old Trafford on Monday night.

Suddenly, the picture is rosier for Ruben Amorim again, with his side performing with unfamiliar control after taking a 2–1 lead. Their triumph lifts them up to sixth and above the Eagles in the Premier League table, who slip down the seventh. Oliver Glasner’s side remain winless off the back of Conference League outings.

The match swung after the break. Jean-Philippe Mateta converted from the penalty spot after being tripped by Leny Yoro, and although a double touch forced a retake, Mateta sent Senne Lammens the wrong way for his second attempt to give Palace a deserved advantage. United responded early in the second half when Joshua Zirkzee beat Dean Henderson with a fierce left-footed finish from a clever set piece. Mason Mount then made the most of a shoddy Palace wall to score from just outside the area and complete the turnaround.

Lisandro Martínez returned to help see out the result after an absence since February. Palace faded in the second period, with Thursday night’s venture perhaps taking its toll, and United enjoyed their best spell after taking the lead.

Player ratings

GK: Senne Lammens — 7.0
CB: Leny Yoro — 6.2
CB: Matthijs de Ligt — 6.9
CB: Luke Shaw — 7.3
RWB: Amad Diallo — 7.4
CM: Casemiro — 7.8
CM: Bruno Fernandes — 8.8
LWB: Diogo Dalot — 7.4
RF: Bryan Mbeumo — 6.9
LF: Mason Mount — 8.3
ST: Joshua Zirkzee — 8.1

Substitutes used: Noussair Mazraoui (58’ for Yoro) — 6.9; Lisandro Martínez (82’ for Shaw) — N/A; Kobbie Mainoo (90’ for Mbeumo) — N/A; Patrick Dorgu (90’ for Amad) — N/A.

Starting XI: Dean Henderson; Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guéhi; Daniel Muñoz, Adam Wharton, Daichi Kamada, Tyrick Mitchell; Ismaïla Sarr, Yeremy Pino; Jean-Philippe Mateta.