According To Prominent Italian Journalist Fabrizio Romano, INEOS Have Completed The Signing Of A Manchester United Player Described As A FORMIDABLE Talent, With Insiders Comparing Him Directly To United’s Prime Target, Carlos Baleba
With Michael Carrick now in charge on an interim basis at Manchester United, the immediate focus is slowly moving away from the touchline and toward recruitment, especially with the January transfer window open and the push for Champions League qualification still within reach.
Even so, there is increasing discussion about whether January is the right time for major spending, particularly with the club still adjusting to a change in leadership. United’s recent past serves as a reminder that hurried, costly signings made during uncertain periods have rarely paid off. In contrast, some of the club’s most dependable solutions have come from promoting young players rather than chasing risky deals in the market.
Signals around United’s midfield plans have been mixed. While funds are believed to be available for players seen as long-term assets, an early FA Cup exit and the lack of a serious injury crisis have reduced the pressure to act immediately. This has encouraged a more cautious approach, with patience taking precedence over urgency.
The wider plan appears to be centered on a full-scale rebuild in the summer, when a permanent manager is expected and recruitment can properly reflect a long-term vision. Midfielders such as Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba have all been linked with the club. Baleba, in particular, was strongly associated with United last year, but the move never happened. Since then, his form at Brighton has dipped, prompting questions about how he would handle the intense scrutiny of Old Trafford, especially with a potentially huge price tag attached.
That uncertainty has strengthened the case for looking inward. United clearly lack power and athleticism in midfield, traits players like Baleba were meant to provide. Carrick’s arrival, however, may shift the emphasis toward reassessing what the club already has.
One player under consideration is 19-year-old Sekou Kone, signed by INEOS in 2024 and long viewed as a development project. Although injuries and competition have stalled his progress, Carrick is expected to closely evaluate him before any loan decision is made. Prioritizing internal options could offer a smarter, more sustainable path while resources are preserved for the summer.
