The Hard Tackle lists three midfielders Manchester United should pursue in the remaining days of the summer transfer window after failing to sign Carlos Baleba.
Manchester United’s search for midfield reinforcements has taken a significant hit, as a summer move for Carlos Baleba is improbable. Brighton & Hove Albion, determined to keep hold of the highly-rated midfielder, have made it clear that Baleba is not for sale, and discussions over a move never progressed. This latest development leaves Manchester United’s recruitment team scrambling for alternatives as they look to bolster Ruben Amorim’s squad.
The urgency for midfield reinforcements at Old Trafford has become increasingly apparent in the last few years. Manchester United struggled for control in the middle of the park last season, as they were regularly overrun by high-intensity opponents. The lack of a consistent ball-playing presence in the holding midfield role exposed the team defensively, leaving their backline vulnerable and undermining their ability to dictate matches. Addressing this frailty is now a priority for the club’s hierarchy.
Adding to the pressure is Casemiro’s uncertain future in the long run, while Christian Eriksen has already departed from Old Trafford as a free agent. Meanwhile, injuries and inconsistent form have plagued younger options, leaving Manchester United without a reliable anchor to shield the backline or launch attacks from the deep.
This imbalance has amplified the need for a robust, technically adept holding midfielder. So, Carlos Baleba emerged as a target for Manchester United, with a few reports suggesting they struck an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion over a summer move. However, a deal was not to be, as the Cameroonian international will remain at the Amex Stadium beyond the summer transfer window.
So, Manchester United’s ambition to return to the top of English football hinges on solving the midfield conundrum. Success in the 2025/26 season will depend on their ability to find a player capable of breaking up opposition attacks, maintaining possession, and providing a stable platform for the team’s more creative talents, particularly Bruno Fernandes. Without this crucial piece, the Red Devils risk another campaign of underachievement and frustration.
With Carlos Baleba no longer an option, attention turns to other candidates who can fill the void in the engine room. Several names have surfaced as possible solutions, each bringing unique qualities and experience to the table. Now, we examine three realistic alternatives Manchester United could target this summer as they move on from Carlos Baleba.
Joao Gomes
While reports have linked Manchester United with several potential alternatives to Carlos Baleba, our first two suggestions move away from those candidates. We begin with Joao Gomes, who has rapidly risen in prominence since joining Wolverhampton Wanderers from Flamengo a few years ago to become one of the most promising holding midfielders in the Premier League.
The Brazilian midfielder, still only 24, has been indispensable in the engine room for the Black Country outfit in the last couple of seasons. His strong performances earned him the Supporters’ Player of the Season award last term, reflecting his impact and value to his team. Furthermore, Gomes’s form at the club level has helped him grow in stature in international football, which shows his growing pedigree on every stage.
What makes Gomes particularly attractive as a Carlos Baleba alternative for Manchester United is his defensive skill set. During the 2024/25 season, the 24-year-old tallied solid defensive metrics, winning 71 tackles (61.2% success) and 204 duels to rank high in the Premier League for interceptions, and regularly breaking up play in midfield.
His 438 ball recoveries and ability to block and intercept passes underline his intelligence and anticipation. Crucially, Gomes displays the tenacity and discipline to disrupt and neutralise opposition attacks, qualities Manchester United are craving in a holding midfielder to provide solidity and cover for their back four.
In possession, Gomes offers more than just ball-winning prowess, as he is comfortable with the ball at his feet, having boasted an 86.2% pass completion rate. The Brazilian keeps the play moving and connects defence with attack. His goal contributions in the 2024/25 season also proved that he can pop up in advanced areas when required.
Moreover, Gomes’s Premier League experience makes him a more immediate solution instead of some alternatives from outside England. However, with reports this year linking the 24-year-old with Arsenal and Liverpool, Manchester United must seal the deal this summer rather than risk more competition next year.
Djaoui Cisse
From a player who is rapidly becoming a household name to an unheralded suggestion comes our next candidate for Manchester United to consider after the Carlos Baleba setback. We are talking about Stade Rennais whizkid, Djaoui Cisse.
The 21-year-old stands out as a compelling alternative to Carlos Baleba for Manchester United after his rapid ascent at Stade Rennais, leading to a burgeoning reputation in his homeland. The youngster is a product of the Ligue 1 outfit’s academy, and he recently signed an extension that keeps him at the club until 2029.
The highly-rated midfielder’s breakthrough in the 2024/25 season came when he seized an unexpected starting opportunity after an injury to a teammate and quickly established himself in the midfield. Despite his inexperience, Cisse has displayed his perseverance and maturity beyond his years, traits Manchester United value in a young midfielder. Defensively, Cisse offers a strong foundation as a holding midfielder.
In Ligue 1 this past season, he registered over 90 tackles won, a high duel success rate (66.7%), and 153 ball regains, metrics that place him among the league’s more proactive and effective disruptors. His 2024/25 numbers also reveal solid discipline: only four yellow cards across more than 1,100 minutes, highlighting his smart challenges and ability to read the game. Cisse has a reasonably imposing physical presence and quick reactions, giving him the tools to shield the backline and halt opposition attacks effectively.
Despite modest offensive figures, Cisse has an assured passing range with an 87.4% completion rate, helping retain possession and transition play out from the back. While the Frenchman’s youth and inexperience may compel many to question the sensibility of viewing him as an alternative to Carlos Baleba, it is worth noting that Baleba only had a few handful of outings for Lille before joining Brighton & Hove Albion and quickly becoming a pivotal figure.
Cisse’s age profile makes him an ideal long-term investment for Manchester United. While he may require time to adapt to the Premier League’s intensity, the French midfielder’s rapid growth and professional attitude suggest he is well-equipped for the challenge. If Manchester United want a defensive-minded, technically secure, and upwardly mobile midfielder, Djaoui Cisse may be one of the brightest under-the-radar prospects.
Adam Wharton
Before we get to our final suggestion, we must discuss a few honourable mentions. Angelo Stiller, Morten Hjulmand, and Felix Nmecha were viable candidates, and Amadou Onana is an excellent stylistic fit for Ruben Amorim’s system. However, Adam Wharton is a suitable target due to his playing style and potential availability.
One of the most exciting young midfield talents in the Premier League, Wharton may be the most logical alternative to Carlos Baleba for Manchester United. The 21-year-old midfielder’s ability to step up in high-pressure situations and his rapid adaptation to top-flight football since joining Crystal Palace from Blackburn Rovers outline his advanced maturity and game intelligence for his age.
Defensively, Wharton has figures as solid as they get. In the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, he registered 108 tackles, 232 ball regains, and 20 interceptions, ranking among the league’s top young midfielders for defensive output. His ground duel success rate sits around 58%, displaying keen anticipation and willingness to press relentlessly in the middle of the park.
Although the 21-year-old is not physically dominant in the air, his reading of play and work rate compensate for this limitation. Most importantly, Wharton has the discipline to play week in and week out, as he draws few cards and offers composure under pressure.
With the ball, Wharton has displayed astute passing technique while having a keen eye for a ball through to a teammate in advanced areas. Meanwhile, the youngster’s Premier League and international exposure make him a realistic and well-rounded solution for Manchester United’s midfield requirements. However, with Wharton reportedly waiting for Liverpool, the Red Devils may face a tall order to land him.