Manchester United have wasted no time setting the tone for their summer transfer business, shifting their focus toward revitalising their attack. The club has already secured a deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha and tabled an offer for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo. Alongside these moves, reports suggest that United are actively pursuing Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres as they look to strengthen the number nine position.
While much of the spotlight is on bolstering the forward line, United would be wise not to overlook their midfield. Despite featuring options like Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, and Toby Collyer—and with no European competitions on the schedule this season—questions still linger over whether the current setup offers enough balance. A potential solution lies in Brighton and Hove Albion’s rising star Carlos Baleba.
The 21-year-old Cameroonian joined Brighton in 2023 and quickly adapted to Premier League football, making 34 league appearances, scoring three times, and assisting once. One of his standout performances came against Manchester City, where he showcased his physicality, advanced ball-carrying, incisive passing, and remarkable football IQ. While United already have a combative midfielder in Ugarte, Baleba’s ability to dictate tempo and progress play from deep makes him a unique asset.
Tactically, Baleba’s energy and mobility align perfectly with the demands of manager Ruben Amorim’s system. His occasional tendency to overcommit could be ironed out with experience, and at his age, there’s ample room for growth. His ability to cover ground and disrupt play is evident in his stats—averaging 6.5 possession regains per 90 minutes, placing him seventh among Premier League midfielders with significant minutes. However, his impact isn’t limited to defence. He also excels in moving the ball forward, averaging 6.3 progressive carries per 90 minutes, which ranks him fourth in the league behind players from Manchester City and Liverpool.
From a transfer strategy perspective, Baleba checks all the right boxes for United. He’s young, has Premier League experience, and his trajectory fits the club’s vision of investing in players with growth potential rather than short-term fixes. Just like Cunha and Mbeumo, Baleba represents a talent on the rise who would view a move to Old Trafford as a step forward rather than a final payday. Brighton will undoubtedly demand a hefty fee—likely well beyond his €40 million valuation on Transfermarkt—but United have shown a willingness to invest in high-upside young talent, as seen with their pursuit of Leny Yoro.
Encouragingly, the club’s financial position under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules is more favourable than expected. Additional funds could be generated by offloading high-profile players such as Jadon Sancho, Antony, Marcus Rashford, or Alejandro Garnacho.
Meanwhile, United have confirmed their first marquee striker signing of the summer: Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna. The 23-year-old Dutch forward joins for £40 million and is expected to be handed the iconic number nine shirt. Zirkzee’s arrival signals a shift toward a more dynamic, mobile frontline that suits Amorim’s high-intensity, fluid attacking philosophy. After a strong season with Bologna that included 12 goals and seven assists, his technical ability and link-up play offer a much-needed edge in the final third.
Together with the arrival of Cunha and the pursuit of Mbeumo, Zirkzee’s signing embodies INEOS’s vision of rebuilding United’s attack with youth, flair, and purpose. If they manage to land Baleba as well, the summer could mark the beginning of a truly transformative chapter at Old Trafford.
