Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has issued a stark warning to his former club about pursuing a £100 million move for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, openly questioning whether the young star possesses the necessary quality for Old Trafford.
Scholes Casts Doubt on Baleba's Quality
The Red Devils had previously shown interest in Baleba during the summer transfer window, but Brighton's valuation exceeding £100 million proved a significant barrier. Despite this, recent reports from Daily Mail Sport's Man United Confidential indicate that Baleba remains on a shortlist of long-term targets for incoming manager Ruben Amorim, alongside Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton and Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson.
When posed with the choice between the three midfielders during an interview with Sky Sports, Scholes expressed significant reservations about the Brighton player. "I think all three of them are really good players," Scholes began. "Baleba is very young... But quality-wise, is he quite there? I think he's almost in a Caicedo type of way."
While acknowledging that Baleba shares a similar athletic, defensive-minded profile with Chelsea's Moises Caicedo, the United legend fundamentally questioned if this was the type of player the club currently needs.
The Preferred Alternatives: Wharton and Anderson
Scholes then turned his attention to the other candidates, offering a detailed analysis of their strengths and potential shortcomings. On Adam Wharton, he noted the Crystal Palace star's quality but wondered about his physical capacity for Manchester United's large Old Trafford pitch.
It was Elliot Anderson's recent England form that appeared to be the biggest surprise for Scholes, who admitted he had previously viewed the Nottingham Forest player as more of an attacking threat. "He's come in as a No.8 for England and looked very accomplished," Scholes observed.
Ultimately, however, Scholes declared his preference for Wharton, stating "I'd probably say I'd go Wharton... I just think Wharton's got a little bit more quality. That's tough saying that. I think he's got more quality than Baleba." He acknowledged that while Baleba may have superior athleticism, Wharton's technical ability made him the marginally preferred choice over Anderson.
January Transfer Realities
The practicalities of any imminent move remain uncertain. The same report that listed Baleba, Wharton, and Anderson as long-term targets also indicated that none are seen as likely deals for the January transfer window.
Instead, a more budget-friendly option like Wolves' Joao Gomes is considered a more probable target for the upcoming window as United looks to strengthen their midfield without committing to a nine-figure sum.
The 21-year-old Baleba, who joined Brighton from Lille for £23 million, has already made over 70 Premier League appearances. This season, he has featured in all 12 of Brighton's league matches, though he has completed the full 90 minutes only once.
In contrast, Anderson has been an ever-present for Nottingham Forest, playing every minute in the league this campaign and establishing himself as a starter for Thomas Tuchel's England squad. Wharton received a call-up to the most recent England squad but faces competition to secure a spot for next summer's World Cup.
