Arsenal issue as Man Utd blown away by 19-year-old target with ‘great potential’

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Manchester United now pose a serious problem for Arsenal after the Red Devils joined the Gunners with an interest in the transfer of Blackburn Rovers talent Adam Wharton.

That is according to TEAMtalk, which reports that Wharton has amazed Manchester United’s scouts this season in the Championship. The Old Trafford club have sent their talent spotters to Ewood Park to run the rule over the 19-year-old. But they are just the latest side to do so.

Wharton’s breakthrough under Jon Dahl Tomasson with Rovers last season tempted an array of Premier League clubs to usher their scouts to Blackburn. Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves all eyed the midfielder at points.

Manchester United join Arsenal with an interest in Adam Wharton

Tomasson gave Wharton his senior debut against Stoke City in a second-tier game in August 2022. The central midfielder featured off Rovers’ bench as a half-time substitute for his first-team bow. He has since gone on to make 29 appearances, including starting 22 games yet.

Wharton earned his first senior start in only his second outing under Tomasson at Blackpool four days after his debut. He also ended the 2022/23 season with two goals and two assists in 22 games in all competitions. While this term has started with one assist in seven outings.

Manchester United sought to take a closer look at Wharton during the opening weeks of the 2023/24 season for his form for Blackburn last term. Rovers boss Tomasson hailed Wharton for having ‘great potential’ last September and that ‘everything is possible’ for him this April.

“He was the best player in the game,” Tomasson said, via the Lancashire Telegraph, after the East Lancashire Derby with Burnley. “The boy, he gets things right, on the ball, off the ball, and that’s great to see. I’m happy to see that development Adam has made this season.

“If you do the right things in training and keep doing the right things, you will get chances. It’s also important that a young lad shouldn’t go down and [start] doing the wrong things. Everything is possible for the boy if he does the right things.”

Adam Wharton has continued his progress with Blackburn Rovers

The progress that Wharton displayed under Tomasson last season tempted Arsenal to show their interest in the Blackburn product. Now, his sustained improvements have Manchester United on high alert to the Ewood Park product, who has only ever played for Rovers so far.

Wharton could offer any of his wealth of suitors a versatile presence, having played in deep-lying, central and advanced areas. Tomasson has also enhanced his faith in the youngster to play the full 90 minutes in five of his six appearances in the Championship so far this season.