Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has spoken about Manchester United's pursuit of Carlos Balebaplaceholder image
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has spoken about Manchester United's pursuit of Carlos Baleba | Getty Images
Man Utd looked to sign the Brighton star in the summer transfer window.
Ruben Amorim wanted to add a mobile midfielder to his squad in the summer transfer window, with Brighton ace Baleba identified as the dream option for the role. United made initial enquiries over a potential deal but walked away when the South Coast club made it clear they wanted a club-record fee of £115 million for the 21-year-old.
Baleba struggled again as he featured from the bench in Brighton's 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon and did not look like a player worth his enormous price tag. He is expected to be high on United's radar when they look to overhaul their midfield next summer, though he will need to improve his performance if he is to remain at the top of their list.
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It is understood United will prioritise a midfield rebuild next summer, with at least two signings targeted to strengthen the position. Casemiro could leave when his contract expires at the end of the campaign, while there is continued interest in Bruno Fernandes from Saudi Arabia and doubts over both Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo.
Speaking after the weekend defeat, Hurzeler was asked about Baleba's reduced role in the opening matches of the new Premier League season. "I think it’s normal for a young player when the media creates the noise around him," he said.
"It’s not easy for this player to handle it. Therefore we need to give him the time and support so he comes back to his best performance. But he’s a young player and I think that’s something we have to accept, that young players don’t always have the face we want to see. It’s our responsibility to help them in the right moments."
When asked specifically if the interest from United had affected the midfielder, the Brighton boss added: "I think everyone gets affected, especially when you are that young and you hear these kinds of things, no matter if they are wrong or right. But it’s just noise we don’t need."
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