Manchester United have submitted a bid of around £60m plus £5m in add-ons to Brighton for midfielder Carlos Baleba earlier this week, as the club continues to work on transfers. With United potentially set for a busy end to the window, Q&A sessions are running to give fans the chance to ask questions.
How Baleba would fit into United's midfield
United need to add a player who can provide mobility and more cover for the defence with their third midfield signing, and Baleba ticks those boxes. He has more strings to his bow than just winning the ball back, which is why United have been keen on him for a while. Baleba will add legs to the midfield and handle the bulk of the defensive work in the centre of the pitch. Interceptions, duels and turnovers are his meat and drink, but he is also a decent passer.
If he signs, he will play at the base of the midfield, raising the possibility that he will build a strong relationship with Andrey Santos, and he could be the perfect foil for Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans. United planned to overhaul their midfield this summer, and the department will look strong if they can sign Baleba.
Is Baleba the right level for United?
There has been scepticism about Baleba's level for United, but when the context of the market and the profile of player United need to sign as their third midfield addition are considered, it adds up to the 22-year-old being a good signing. Brighton wanted in excess of £100m for Baleba last summer, and United are hopeful they can sign him for less than £75m, so they will get a value deal if an agreement can be reached with the Seagulls.
Brighton have knocked down their valuation because Baleba was disappointing last season. He was hooked twice at half-time in the first half of the campaign, and he made just eight league starts in the second half of the season after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations. However, Baleba looked like a top talent in 2024/25. United believe he can regain that form and take it to another level, with the data department admiring his underlying metrics.
United missed out on Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes earlier in the window, and most of the midfielders who are still available don't have much appeal.
Striker and left-back plans
The last time a club source was spoken to about United potentially signing a striker this summer, they suggested it was down the priority list. Benjamin Sesko is the only recognised striker in the squad, but United have a handful of players who can play down the middle, such as Bryan Mbeumo, Marcus Rashford, Matheus Cunha and potentially even Amad. Whether a move is made or not will depend on Joshua Zirkzee's position. Michael Carrick claimed at his press conference on Thursday that no player has expressed a desire to leave and that he expects no outgoings, but Zirkzee has attracted interest from Italy.
United would like to sign a left-back once the third midfield signing is wrapped up. Newcastle will not sell Lewis Hall in this transfer window, and there has been talk in the north east about him signing a new contract. Mikel Arteta said that Myles Lewis-Skelly will stay at the Emirates this season. Racing de Santander defender Jorge Salinas is also an interesting name that has cropped up, along with Alejandro Balde. It feels like United could spring another surprise in the market with a left-back signing, with a player at the lower end of the price scale potentially brought in to be a deputy to Luke Shaw.
Harry Amass's future at left-back
The Harry Amass situation has split opinion among fans. Some believe he is ready to contribute to the first team, while others feel he should spend another season on loan in the Championship. Amass has done enough to deserve a crack at being around the first team this season, having been excellent for Sheffield Wednesday on loan and looked sharp throughout pre-season this summer. Amass wants to play regular football after getting a taste of it last term, and that might push him towards the exit door. Whether Amass is given a chance to take over from Shaw in the future could depend on what happens in the next two weeks.
