Manchester United are closing in on the £65million signing of Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, according to Standard Sport. The 22-year-old would become the fourth summer arrival for Michael Carrick’s side, following Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Karl Darlow.
Baleba would be the third midfielder to join United this window, after Santos and Tielemans, as Carrick overhauls his options in the middle of the park. If the move is completed, Carrick will face a decision on who plays in the double pivot behind Bruno Fernandes.
Injury and competition
The Cameroonian international is currently managing an ankle injury and is not expected to be fit until the end of September. However, with Kobbie Mainoo, Tielemans and Santos already competing for minutes, Carrick will have plenty of options once Baleba returns.
It is expected that Baleba would start alongside the experienced Tielemans. Mason Mount's role remains unclear after an impressive pre-season, where he was arguably United's standout player in the first few games and built a productive partnership with Santos. Injuries, however, appear to have stalled his progress again, and he was absent from training this week.
Other midfield options
Mainoo looked set for a fresh start under Carrick, but Baleba's arrival would add more competition for the 21-year-old, and it is unclear if his future lies at United. Santos is likely to provide cover for Baleba, with Mainoo viewed as a more dynamic option than Tielemans in the No8 position, able to impact games late on.
Mount's versatility means he could get minutes out wide or in place of Fernandes, as well as playing deeper as a replacement for Tielemans. Manuel Ugarte is expected to be out for an extended period after knee surgery, but upon his return he would provide cover for Baleba as the more defensively minded midfielder in the pivot.
Season opener
United begin their Premier League campaign away to Hull City on Saturday, starting their first full season under Carrick. The predicted XI includes Lammens; Dalot, Martinez, De Ligt, Shaw; Tielemans, Baleba; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko.
