Manchester United are considering a £50m move for an Adam Wharton alternative as they look to bolster their midfield in the New Year, reports TEAMtalk.

United were keen on adding a new midfielder over the summer and pursued Brighton star Carlos Baleba, only to fail to convince the Seagulls to sell the Cameroon international.

A January move for Baleba is expected, but he’s not the only midfielder wanted by United next year as the club draw up a list of targets.

United draw up midfield shortlist

Heading the wishlist, which includes Baleba, is Crystal Palace star Wharton, who has been a revelation for the Eagles since his move to Selhurst Park last year.

Wharton’s stock continues to soar and he’s drawn interest from a number of Europe’s heavy hitters, including Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, along with United.

United would struggle to beat the trio, among others, to Wharton should Palace come around to the idea of selling one of their prized assets, be that in January or next summer.

And with interest in Wharton high, United have drawn up a shortlist of midfield targets, with Jobe Bellingham and Victor Froholdt, of Borussia Dortmund and FC Porto, making the cut.

Sporting star emerging as target

Sporting CP star Morten Hjulmand has also emerged as a potential signing for United as the Premier League side consider a move for the Dane.

Hjulmand reportedly has a £70m release clause in his Sporting contract, but United believe the Denmark international is attainable for £50m.

The 26-year-old has established himself as a key player for Sporting and has played every league minute this season as the Lisbon side look to defend their Liga Portugal crown.

And his performances haven’t gone unnoticed either with United looking into the possibility of launching a January assault for Hjulmand, who worked under head coach Ruben Amorim during their respective time together with Sporting.

Not only would Hjulmand bring the requisite defensive resolve, he’s also a handy distributor who was vital in Sporting’s title triumph in Amorim’s final full season in Lisbon.

And with United’s central midfield options struggling with Amorim’s demands, Hjulmand would be a readymade addition to the side in a problem area.

Premier League pair to rival United for Dane

Were Sporting prepared to cash in on Hjulmand, however, then United wouldn’t be the only side to pursue his services.

A separate report suggests that Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are also interested in the former Lecce midfielder as both sides look to beef up their respective squads.

While a Amorim reunion may be tempting for Hjulmand, he is also a boyhood Arsenal fans, which would effectively rule out a switch to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

United face Spurs next month and are looking to build upon recent back-to-back league wins over Sunderland and Liverpool when they take on Brighton this weekend.