Manchester United's Pursuit of Carlos Baleba: A Midfield Dilemma
Manchester United’s summer is already moving at pace on the pitch. Off it, the story is very different.
A 5-0 dismantling of Rosenborg on Friday night added another smooth pre-season outing to Michael Carrick’s early tenure, but the real tension around Old Trafford sits in the middle of the pitch. Casemiro has gone. The pivot role that underpins any serious modern side is vacant. And one player who has been desperate to fill it is still waiting by the phone.
United’s midfield puzzle
Carrick has not stood still. Youri Tielemans is in. Andrey Santos is in. The recruitment team are still working on another central midfielder, a left-back and probably a forward, though that last deal may hinge on an outgoing.
Everyone at United knows the truth: the next central midfielder is the big one. The signing that will define how this new version of the team looks when the real games start.
Which is why the Carlos Baleba situation feels so striking.
Baleba: the move that never happened
United pushed hard for Baleba in the past. The Brighton holding midfielder, powerful, aggressive and technically clean, was a major target during last summer’s window and again heavily linked in January.
According to Fabrizio Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, Baleba did everything he could to make the move a year ago.
“Baleba one year ago… was pushing like crazy to go to Man United, and Baleba had an agreement on personal terms with Man United,” Romano said. “So he had his dream to become a Man United player. Then Man United couldn't proceed because Brighton didn't want to sell the player.”
Brighton held their line. United walked away. The deal died, at least publicly.
At that stage, Baleba was regarded as a top target under the club’s then managerial direction, with Ruben Amorim strongly in the frame. Once United and Amorim went their separate ways in January, the Baleba pursuit went cold as well. Different coach, different shortlist, different priorities.
Door opens again
Now the name is back in circulation. Not because United have launched a new offensive, but because the player’s camp have quietly nudged the door.
Romano explained that people close to Baleba have again made contact with United to “suggest the possibility to return for Baleba” in the wake of the collapse of a move for Ederson and other shifting pieces in the market. In other words, the green light from the player has never dimmed. He still wants Old Trafford.
The question is whether United want him as much as he wants them.
Brighton’s price this summer is not yet fixed, but it is expected to sit north of £70 million. That is elite-money territory, a fee that demands absolute conviction. For now, United are taking their time on what they view as the final major midfield addition of the window. No bid, no formal move, just a live option sitting on the table.
A “monster” in waiting
Those who have watched Baleba closely understand why he has admirers at the top end of the league. At 22, he has already shown he can live with the pace and physicality of the Premier League. His blend of power and presence has seen him described as a “monster” in the holding role.
Former Premier League midfielder Charlie Adam was quick to single him out last year.
“I’m a big fan of Carlos Baleba at Brighton,” Adam said. “The two lads, Baleba and Yasin Ayari, at Brighton have been very good. I watched them when Brighton won at Manchester United. I thought they were excellent. Are they the next ones from the conveyor belt to maybe move on? The Cameroonian is a very good player, 21 years of age. I think that he’s been something that’s different from what’s been in the Premier League.”
Roberto De Zerbi, who helped sharpen Baleba’s game at Brighton before taking over at Tottenham, did not hold back either.
“I believe in Carlos. He can become one of the best players in the Premier League in the future, for sure,” the Italian said.
Those are not the usual throwaway compliments. They are the kind of endorsements that make a recruitment department sit up, replay the footage and run the numbers again.
A decision United cannot dodge
So United stand at a familiar crossroads. The squad is being reshaped. The style is evolving. The need for a dominant, long-term pivot has never been clearer.
On one side is a 22-year-old midfielder with Premier League experience, a manager’s seal of approval, and a long-standing desire to wear the shirt. On the other is a fee that will test United’s resolve and their belief in their own scouting.
Baleba has already said “yes” once. His camp have effectively said it again.
Now the only answer that matters is United’s – and how long they can afford to wait before someone else moves in on a player they once viewed as a top target.
