With the Premier League set to kick off tonight as reigning champions Arsenal travel to face newly promoted Coventry City, Manchester United will begin their own campaign against fellow newcomers Hull City tomorrow afternoon.
Midfield Rebuild
Acutely aware of the need to strengthen Michael Carrick‘s squad ahead of a return to the Champions League, the Red Devils have completed four senior signings this summer. Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have been brought to Old Trafford for a combined £85 million, alongside experienced goalkeeper Karl Darlow and 18-year-old winger Tynan Thompson.
Darlow – signed on a free transfer from Leeds United – will serve as the No.2 to Senne Lammens, allowing INEOS to send both Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir out on loan. Thompson is a highly rated forward from Tottenham Hotspur, but will split his time between the senior side and under-21s this season.
Heading into the transfer window, neither Santos nor Tielemans was the primary target to fix Carrick’s stalling engine room. A combination of unfortunate circumstances and an inflated market priced United out of the race for options like Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes, however, leading to a pivot towards the Premier League-proven pair.
Yet, arguably, the most important – and expensive – piece of business for this midfield rebuild is currently yet to be sealed. United have seen a bid worth £65 million for Carlos Baleba rejected by Brighton & Hove Albion, though negotiations are ongoing. Relations between the two clubs are positive, and there is a sense it is a matter of when, rather than if, the deal will be completed.
Jack of All Trades
Undoubtedly, having seen Casemiro depart at the end of his contract in June before Manuel Ugarte suffered a serious knee injury at the World Cup for Uruguay, the midfield was the priority for Manchester United this summer.
As an all-action No.6 with speed, strength and size, Baleba’s profile was the missing piece of the puzzle alongside the more technical trio of Santos, Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo. There are valid concerns over his sharp downturn in form last year, but United’s recruitment team will have faith that the 2024/25 version of the 22-year-old Cameroon international is his true representation, rather than the shadow of that player seen in 2025/26.
However, there are other areas of the pitch – chiefly at left-back – where further reinforcements are needed. Despite a torrid injury record, Luke Shaw started every Premier League match last season. Yet there is tacit recognition at the club that the 31-year-old veteran will not be able to replicate this once midweek fixtures return to Old Trafford.
This has led INEOS to run the rule over a number of targets who could solve both problems, players capable of being deployed in midfield and at left-back. Lewis Hall is considered the leading candidate, having played centrally during his time in Chelsea’s academy. Newcastle United are not entertaining the sale of yet another key player, however, even if the 21-year-old would be open to a switch to M16.
Similarly, Manchester United explored Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly, 19, as an option after being alerted to his potential availability by intermediaries. Nonetheless, as publicly stated by Mikel Arteta, the Gunners want to keep the England international in North London, with the Spaniard “100%” ruling out an exit.
Eduardo Camavinga was another player United looked at. The France international has played in both positions for Real Madrid, while Los Blancos are open to his sale after an indifferent campaign amid the need to generate funds for Jose Mourinho. Camavinga is understood to be intent on remaining in the Spanish capital, however.
Which brings us to Baleba, whom United made overtures to sign last summer. At that stage, Brighton’s valuation in excess of £100 million, citing Moises Caicedo’s record-breaking move to Chelsea in 2023 as a benchmark, killed any hope of a deal. Dialogue was maintained over the past twelve months should the opportunity to reignite a pursuit present itself – as it did this week.
At the beginning of the window, the Seagulls were understood to have set an asking price of £80 million. With deadline day fast approaching, United arehoping to agree an even lower fee, potentially around the £70m mark. Patience will prove a virtue for INEOS if this is the case.
Carlos Baleba Premier League stats: 2025/26 Season
| Appearances | 31 |
|---|---|
| Minutes per game | 54 |
| Touches per game | 33.7 |
| Key passes per game | 0.3 |
| Accurate passes per game | 20.8 |
| Interceptions per game | 0.9 |
| Tackles per game | 1.2 |
Interestingly, despite not having played at left-back in his career, The Athletic claims Baleba’s left-footedness makes him a candidate for this position at Old Trafford. He has twice filled in at centre-back for Brighton, while his potent pairing of pace and power lend themselves favourably to a full-back role.
Santos has emerged as the most impressive player from Manchester United’s pre-season, staking his claim firmly for the No.6 role in Carrick’s midfield. With Tielemans and Mainoo set to battle for the No.8 role, Baleba would be freed up to provide cover at left-back – even if the primary intention is for him to compete with Santos for this deeper slot in midfield.
Final Thoughts
There is a long history of full-backs becoming excellent midfielders, and vice versa. Similarly, the recent tactical shift of inverted defenders – where, for example, a left-back steps into midfield when in possession to help create an overload further up the pitch – could be another Carrick considers for Manchester United this season. Any such tactical experimentation will have to wait, however, with United first needing to strike a deal with Brighton for Baleba.
Featured image Mike Hewitt via Getty Images
