Manchester United will likely miss out on signing Adam Wharton if they do not qualify for the Champions League, according to reports. Despite Crystal Palace’s turbulent season, the 22-year-old has consistently shone for the Eagles.

As reported by The Sun, participation in the prestigious tournament will be the ‘defining factor’ should he decide to pursue a new challenge. If the Red Devils fail to secure a spot in Europe’s premier competition, they could miss out on him entirely.

Michael Carrick’s team appeared to be a strong contender for a top-four finish after securing six wins in the ex-midfielder’s first seven Premier League games at the helm. However, the Red Devils’ recent 2-1 away loss to Newcastle United has intensified the battle for the top four spots.

United currently sit third in the table, though merely three points separate them from sixth-placed Liverpool, with Aston Villa (4th) and Chelsea (5th) also lurking dangerously close. With Casemiro departing at season’s end, it’s widely acknowledged United will be pursuing at least one central midfielder.

Links have also emerged connecting them with Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba and Wharton’s England colleague Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest. City have been associated with both midfielders, presenting unwelcome news for United, given Pep Guardiola’s outfit are virtually certain to secure Champions League qualification.

Nevertheless, United possess one edge over their top-four competitors. Following last season’s failure to reach Europe and their FA Cup exit prior to Carrick’s appointment, United benefit from an extended break before their next Premier League fixture.

Carrick’s players won’t feature again until hosting top-four rivals Aston Villa at Old Trafford on March 15. Three days prior to that encounter, Unai Emery’s squad travels to France to meet Lille in the opening leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

Following the Newcastle setback, Carrick called for composure from both his squad and supporters. 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.”