Is Carlos Baleba the Key to Manchester United's European Revival?

Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba, Brighton’s dynamic young midfielder, has emerged as a top target for Manchester United as the club looks to strengthen its midfield depth ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Manchester United’s transfer rebuild this summer has been clear: improve their attacking output by adding a mix of experienced and youthful players to an attack that managed just 44 goals last season—the fifth lowest in the Premier League.

That has now been done. The arrivals of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have already been confirmed, whilst the imminent arrival of Benjamin Sesko offers a youthful striker who scored 21 goals in the previous season.

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United strike agreement in principle with RB Leipzig to sign Benjamin Sesko. Deal for 22yo #RBLeipzig striker €76.5m + €8.5m. Slovenia international given permission to fly & do medical before completing #MUFC move @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/mM9R0ipHZn

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 7, 2025

But United still have areas on the pitch that desperately need improvement. Questions have been asked about their goalkeepers—Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir—and in the centre of the pitch in midfield.

In steps Carlos Baleba. An all-action midfielder who excels in off-the-ball pressure and zonal marking. His passing will add a much-needed cohesion and tempo control to Manchester United if they manage the sign the young 21-year-old.

Baleba’s time in the Premier League has been short, but electric. He has played 77 times for Brighton—in all competitions—across two seasons, scoring four goals in that time.

The question now is, can Baleba fire United back into European places, and can they even sign him?

Manchester United’s lack of midfield presence

After a timid pre-season friendly 0-0 draw against Leeds United, head coach Ruben Amorim was open about his side's weaknesses and what they needed to improve. “We had a lack of pace, especially in the middle of the park,” the Portuguese coach said.

As United play the 3-4-2-1 formation, there are lots of chances for the team to be fluid within possession, allowing them to move players up and down the pitch into different positions. But in the centre of the pitch, there is an increased pressure for the midfield pairing to protect their area when the Reds lose possession.

The midfield pairings that United used last season varied from game to game. The likes of Bruno Fernandes, Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Toby Collyer. Individually, they all have their positives, but none of them excelled as a pair.

Manchester United need a player who can offer ball retention, defensive work rate, and off-the-ball presence. None of the previous players mentioned have all three; Baleba does.

Carlos Baleba’s midfield superiority

Baleba’s availability should ot be in question either. In the Premier League last season, only Jan Paul van Hecke and Bart Verbruggen played more minutes than the young Cameroonian. This would be perfect for a United side that has struggled with injuries in midfield.

Looking through his underlying numbers, Baleba ranks in the top 79th percentile in one-on-one duels, successful take-ons, tackles, interceptions, and blocks among midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues.

It is not just his defensive work rate where he excels, Baleba is known for moving up the pitch and can shoot. He ranks in the top 68th percentile for non-penalty goals and shots taken.

With Sesko seemingly on his way to Old Trafford, you'd think United’s summer business is nearly done.

But this is Manchester United we're talking about.

If they were to add Carlos Baleba to Amorim’s midfield, it could be a transformative signing.

Here’s a custom radar… pic.twitter.com/H9XXp7sC8Q

— Scouting Stats (@ScoutingStatsAI) August 7, 2025

Baleba is not infallible. On several occasions last season, he was caught in possession under pressure, contributing to eight yellow cards—including one sending-off—and the concession of two penalties.

But it’s worth remembering that Baleba is still only 21, and last season marked his first as a fully-fledged starter. In 2023/24, the Cameroonian managed just 15 starts and played 1,320 minutes of Premier League football—barely half of the 2,673 minutes he logged last season.

Whether or not he moves to United, those inconsistencies in his game would slowly be cut out as he develops under Fabian Hurzeler or Ruben Amorim.

Put all of this together and add on that he is also left-footed—a scarcity in modern-day football—and he looks like the perfect signing.

The problem?

His pricetag.

Too big of a pricetag?

David Ornstein of The Athletic broke the news on Wednesday, the 6th August, about Manchester United inquiring about Baleba.

According to Ornstein, both parties understand that a transfer would be unrealistic. Baleba was signed as Moises Caicedo's successor, and he was sold for £115 million. Baleba’s fee would be in the same ballpark.

🚨 Man Utd contact Brighton via intermediaries to explore conditions of deal for Carlos Baleba. #BHAFC do not plan to sell this summer & all sides aware move may be unrealistic. But #MUFC keen + should know in coming days if plausible or not @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/jCflCWm3AV

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 6, 2025

Manchester United have already spent handsomely this summer; the running total—provided that Sesko does arrive at Old Trafford—has already reached over £200 million.

These signings would not be paid off in one go, more likely in instalments over the next few years. But that still leaves very little in the transfer kitty for United to move around.

So far, the Red Devils have freed up some space by offloading Marcus Rashford on loan to Barcelona, and releasing Victor Lindelof, Christian Erikson and allowing Johnny Evans to retire. But the wages between all four would still not be even close enough to get to the fee needed to sign Baleba.

As it stands, there are at least four more players that Amorim would not mind letting go this summer. Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia. So far, Garnacho has drummed up the most interest, with Premier League rivals Chelsea inquiring about his availability.

🚨 Chelsea have stepped up talks with Manchester United over deal to sign Alejandro Garnacho. Clubs in touch on topic for some time & now advancing amid Benjamin Sesko joining #MUFC. 21yo winger wants #CFC or nothing + expects move to happen @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/vdc1dtnA0p

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 7, 2025

But as things stand, unless United pick up some significant funds, Baleba will be staying where he is.

For fans hungry for a return to continental prominence, the arrival of Carlos Baleba could be more than just a signing—it might be a signal that United are ready for the ‘good times’ once again.