Carlos Baleba: The Missing Piece in Manchester United’s Midfield

If Manchester United are looking at midfielders, Carlos Baleba has to be somewhere on the list. The Red Devils badly need energy and legs in the midfield and Baleba has a bit of everything. He’s not your typical deep-lying playmaker and that’s exactly what makes him exciting. The Cameroon midfielder excels in breaking up play, driving through space, and progressing the ball. Admittedly, he is still raw in some areas, and perhaps one of the reasons why there hasn’t been too many transfer links to him this summer but he would be worth the risk right now in my opinion. 

United still lack a mobile ball-winner who can play box to box. Baleba is a high-energy disruptor who could provide an additional engine in Amorim’s midfield. At just 21, he’s already showing maturity beyond his years; aggressive in the press, dominant in duels, and composed under pressure.

Key Attributes 

▫️Elite tackler – Dominates duels, especially in central and advanced areas.

▫️Ball Winner – Rapid recoveries to stop counters early. 

▫️Ball carrier – Drives through midfield with power and control. 

▫️Press-resistant – Stays composed under pressure and can play in tight spaces. 

▫️Physical – Strong in contact, hard to knock off the ball. 

▫️Versatile – Has played as a 6, in a pivot, and even at CB in build-up. He would help improve Manchester United’s build up without a doubt.

▫️Solid Range of Passing - Can play some nice diagonals and switch play quickly but he is mostly a safe passer for now. He will certainly improve with experience. 

Baleba isn’t the finished article by any stretch, but that’s not the point. He offers attributes United are sorely lacking: intensity, control under pressure, and the physical edge to dominate midfield battles. At 21, there’s time to refine the rough edges but the raw tools are already there. In a market full of overpriced players and recycled links, Baleba represents something different: upside, urgency, and untapped potential.

Given Brighton’s track record, Baleba’s price tag is unlikely to be cheap. After landing a record fee for Caicedo in 2023, they’ll expect a similar (if not higher) return for a midfielder who may have an even higher ceiling. If United are serious about accelerating their evolution and reshaping the midfield, Carlos Baleba could be a key piece of the puzzle.