OFFICIAL: Manchester United officially announce the signing of £40m Dutch striker, offered him reserved legendary shirt number as player arrived in Manchester for unveiling TODAY
Manchester United have kickstarted the summer transfer window with a sharp focus on upgrading their attacking options. They’ve already confirmed a move for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha and lodged a bid for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo. The club is also intensifying its search for a natural striker, with reports suggesting that a deal for Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres is beginning to take shape.
While revamping the attack is clearly a priority after a lacklustre season in front of goal, the midfield shouldn’t be overlooked. With United only competing in domestic tournaments next season, it might seem like Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, and Toby Collyer offer sufficient depth. However, there’s still a noticeable lack of balance in midfield—something that could be corrected by pursuing Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba.
The 21-year-old Cameroonian midfielder, who joined Brighton in 2023, has been impressive in his Premier League debut season. He featured in 34 matches, scoring three goals and registering one assist. His standout performance came against Manchester City last November, where his physicality, progressive runs, and intelligent passing were on full display. These are exactly the kinds of qualities United’s midfield has been missing—particularly when it comes to driving play forward and maintaining control in high-tempo games.
Although Ugarte offers physical presence, Baleba brings a more refined approach to dictating tempo and moving the ball progressively. His ability to regain possession is notable, averaging 6.5 recoveries per 90 minutes—ranking him seventh among midfielders who’ve played at least 900 minutes. That said, he’s not without flaws. He can occasionally over-commit, leaving gaps in a pressing system. But at just 21, there’s plenty of time for him to develop smarter decision-making.
From a tactical standpoint, Baleba would suit the kind of midfield Ruben Amorim is known for. His stamina and range allow him to cover large areas, whether partnered with a tenacious player like Ugarte or covering for the less physical Mainoo and Casemiro. Beyond his defensive attributes, Baleba excels in progressing the ball. He ranks fourth in the league for progressive carries per 90 minutes (6.3), behind only players from elite clubs like Manchester City and Liverpool.
He also ticks a lot of boxes in terms of United’s current transfer strategy. Baleba is young, already adapted to the Premier League, and full of potential. Like Cunha and Mbeumo, he represents a player whose best years are still ahead, not someone seeking a final paycheck. Brighton will likely demand a hefty fee—potentially far above his estimated €40 million value—but United have shown they’re willing to invest in elite young talent, as they did with Leny Yoro.
The financial landscape also works in United’s favour. With big earners like Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial off the books, and potential sales of players such as Antony, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, or Alejandro Garnacho, there could be room to manoeuvre. Moreover, United’s current PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules) position is reportedly better than expected, giving them the flexibility to act.
If the funds and opportunity are available, Carlos Baleba represents a logical and exciting addition to Manchester United’s midfield rebuild—one that could significantly boost their quality and energy in the centre of the park.
