The 2025 summer transfer window has only just gone by in the rearview mirror, but the planning at Manchester United never stops, and it hasn’t.
Man Utd signed four players this summer, with Diego Leon arriving after having signed in January.
They also sanctioned many departures and filled holes in the squad while letting some be, in search of the perfect player.
As per Fabrizio Romano, one of those ‘perfect’ players has already been identified for the next summer, with the player winning over the club this summer.
Carlos Baleba with arms raised
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Man Utd lay out plans for Carlos Baleba
Man Utd’s clear hole in the central midfield area is no secret, and it’s also known that they tried to fill it with Carlos Baleba.
Ultimately, they left it too late to go for their marquee man and received a firm rejection from Brighton every time they tried.
However, as per Fabrizio Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, the reason United didn’t sign a backup for him, despite holding several meetings on alternatives, is that they want to launch a full-scale operation next season.
He says Baleba has won over United with his willingness to come to Old Trafford this season, and United are happy to wait out a full season instead of spending less money on a player they are not entirely comfortable with.
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Romano said: “I’m not surprised that Manchester United decided not to invest money in any other midfielder in the summer transfer window because I always told you that my feeling is that they will keep their interest alive in 2026 for Carlos Baleba.
“For 2026, the idea of Manchester United remains Carlos Baleba. They were very happy with the enthusiasm of the player in opening the doors. Even without European football, Baleba was very open to joining, and the club really appreciated that.
“For Ruben Amorim, he is considered the perfect midfielder. Baleba is seen as the perfect player for the next step of the project.
“It’s a name approved by the coach, approved by the recruitment team, approved by the management. So they all want Baleba.”
Man Utd planned for the long term
It is encouraging that not only did Man Utd do the groundwork for securing a signing next summer, but they also planned for the long term instead of panicking.
There was an air of desperation around United on deadline day as they were being urged to move for a midfielder, any midfielder.
That is what the previous regime might have done, plunging the club into years of financial commitments over a player who wasn’t even first-choice.
United are still paying Casemiro’s contract for precisely that reason, and that is a scenario Ineos have avoided with their pursuit of Baleba.
Good things come to those who wait, and if United can land Baleba next summer, it will all be worth it.