However, as he continues to try and rediscover the form which brought about United’s interest in his services, Baleba remains full of ambition ahead of Cameroon’s AFCON opener against Gabon on Wednesday.
Revealing his desire to be known as the world’s best midfielder in the future, Brighton’s No. 17 has opened up about the whole host of players he is studying - both past and present - in order to achieve his lofty aim.
Listing the likes of Monaco star Paul Pogba, former Bayern Munich man Thiago Alcantara, Napoli ace Kevin De Bruyne and Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets, Baleba told Sky Sports: "I watch a lot of highlights from them. I watch their positioning and their scanning. But I try to be like Carlos Baleba.
"It's an ambition [of mine] to be the best midfielder in the world. I just want to work hard, to take some advice, to take something from the midfielders. Not just in the Premier League, because I learned a lot from here."
Continuing to name the players he is closely observing in his bid to become the best in his position, he added: "Rodri and others, but I try to take [lessons from] outside of the Premier League. Like Ligue 1, Vitinha or Joao Neves. In La Liga, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets. I try to learn every day I'm learning. I'm watching them on YouTube."