Manchester United’s summer shopping list keeps changing. First they missed on Elliot Anderson, then Sandro Tonali, then Mateus Fernandes. They even walked away from Ederson after medical concerns. For a while it looked like Michael Carrick might start the season with a midfield held together by tape and good intentions.
Then INEOS finally moved. Andrey Santos is in. Youri Tielemans is in. Karl Darlow is in. That’s three bodies through the door, and Carrick is reportedly asking for one more. But here’s the thing about United’s midfield rebuild — they still need a different kind of player. Someone with power. Someone who can cover grass and win duels without getting bullied off the ball. Think less facilitator, more wrecking ball.
The Baleba situation is worth watching again
Last summer, Carlos Baleba was the guy United wanted for that exact role. Brighton slapped a $125 million price tag on him and that was that. The Seagulls don’t fold easily in negotiations, which is why United went elsewhere. But a new report from Football Insider says things might be changing.
Brighton has apparently softened its stance. Not dramatically — nobody is saying they’ll give Baleba away — but there’s some indication they’d accept less than that massive number from last year. United is paying attention. According to the report, they’re ready to jump back in if the asking price drops to something more reasonable.
The 22-year-old Cameroon international had a quieter season than expected, which is probably why Brighton is open to negotiating. United was willing to offer around $94 million last year. Now they’d prefer to pay less. Shocking, right? That’s how these things go when a player’s stock dips slightly.
Where does this leave United’s midfield?
Santos and Tielemans are both midfielders, but they’re more about tempo and passing range. Baleba offers something different — physicality, pressing, and the kind of athletic cover that lets other guys push higher up the pitch. Carrick apparently sees him as the missing piece in a trio that could actually compete with the top sides.
Whether Brighton agrees to a lower fee is the big question. They’ve got a reputation for holding firm. But United has already burned through a lot of options this window. They can’t afford to keep striking out. If Baleba is available at a price INEOS can stomach, this could move fast. If not, Carrick might have to get creative with what he’s already got.
Either way, the next couple weeks should tell us a lot about how serious United really is about shoring up that midfield. They’ve made progress. But one more piece could be the difference between a decent season and a real one.
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