The Youri Tielemans deal caught everyone off guard. Including me. Including most of the fanbase. One minute the rumor mill had Manchester United chasing Ederson from Atalanta. The next, David Ornstein was reporting the release clause had been triggered, the medical was done, and Tielemans was signing a five-year deal at Old Trafford. All for £35 million.
That number is what stuns people. Tielemans is a starter for Aston Villa. He signed a contract extension in June 2025 that runs through 2028. Why on earth did Villa let a release clause that low sit in his deal? It feels like a gift to a direct rival. INEOS found it, triggered it, and didn’t blink. Smart work from a recruitment team that has taken a lot of heat since the window opened.
But here’s where it gets complicated. Manchester United still need a third midfielder. Not just any third midfielder either. They need someone with genuine mobility and physicality. The profile they’ve added so far — Andrey Santos and Tielemans — is quality. But neither is a destroyer. Neither is the guy who chases down attackers and covers ground like a man possessed.
Every logical clue points to Carlos Baleba. The Brighton midfielder had a rough campaign last season under Fabian Hürzeler. That’s fair to note. But his raw tools are exactly what this United midfield is missing. He can carry the ball through pressure. He can tackle. He has the legs to make the transition from decent to elite actually happen. Environments matter, and maybe Hürzeler’s system just didn’t fit. The talent hasn’t disappeared.
A deal for Baleba might be the most realistic path. He has reportedly agreed personal terms already. The hard part is negotiating with Brighton, who are famously difficult to deal with despite being a selling club at heart. United have to find the right fee. That’s easier said than done.
Another option is Alex Scott, though he would probably cost more and require more work to pry away from Bournemouth. Either way, Michael Carrick needs another body. Pre-season kicks off Saturday against Wrexham. United will have two midfielders ready for that game. They would really like a third to at least be close by then. Baleba gives them the best shot at that timeline.
One name that seems unlikely is Ayyoub Bouaddi. Manchester City has stepped in with concrete interest for the 18-year-old Moroccan. Lille wants around £90 million. City is ready to sign him and integrate him immediately. United does not look like a serious contender there.
So far, United has moved well. The Tielemans signing is clever business. But August is where windows are won or lost. If they stop now, they’ll get left behind. One more piece. That’s the difference between a good summer and a great one.
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