Adam Wharton's stance on MU transfer and 'defining factor' for deal to happen

As Adam Wharton continues to impress for Crystal Palace, one important factor could well influence his next move if the England international and Manchester United target is to leave this summer

Manchester United target Adam Wharton will reportedly prioritise playing in the Champions League if he decides to leave Crystal Palace in the summer. Wharton, 22, has been a constant positive in an otherwise tumultuous campaign at Selhurst Park.

The England international is expected to have a long line of interested suitors when the transfer window opens this summer. Real Madrid have previously been linked with an audacious move for the ex-Blackburn Rovers midfielder.

However, both Liverpool and United are also understood to be interested in the classy 22-year-old, whose contract in south London expires in July 2029. While both clubs, as well as Manchester City, are still believed to be interested in him, it's understood Wharton, should he opt to move to a new club, will only want a team in the Champions League.

According to The Sun, the illustrious competition will be the 'defining factor' should he decide to embark on a new challenge. If the Red Devils fail to qualify for Europe's elite competition, they will likely miss out on him entirely.

Michael Carrick's side looked like a firm favourite to finish in the top four after they picked up six victories in the ex-midfielder's first seven Premier League matches in charge.

However, the Red Devils' recent 2-1 away defeat to Newcastle United has made the race for the top four even more tight.

United are currently in third position, but with only three points separating them and sixth placed Liverpool, with Aston Villa (4th) and Chelsea (5th) also within range, things are perilous for United. With Casemiro leaving the club at the end of the season, the football world knows United will be in the market for a central midfielder.

They have also been linked with Brighton and Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba and Wharton's England team-mate Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest.

City have been linked with both midfielders, which is bad news for United, with Pep Guardiola's side almost certainly qualifying for the Champions League.

However, United do have one advantage over their top four rivals. After failing to qualify for Europe last season and also exiting the FA Cup before Carrick's arrival, United do have a long rest between their next Premier League match. Carrick's side do not have a match until their meeting with Aston Villa on March 15 at Old Trafford.

Three days before the clash, Unai Emery's side travel to France to face Lille in the first-leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie. After the defeat to Newcastle, Carrick urged his players and the fan base to remain calm.

Carrick said: "We've lost a game of football and, listen, it hurts me a lot. I'm really, really disappointed with tonight, for different reasons. But we can't lose sight of the position we've put ourselves in as well.

"So, as much as I'm disappointed we need to learn from it, because it's a bit of a lesson for us tonight, in some ways. We can't lose sight of the bigger picture as well. We've got to be better for this."