Manchester United showed a glimpse of how exciting and successful they can be with their performance against Arsenal, but it wasn’t without its worries.
Altay Bayindir in goal is the obvious one, with Andre Onana not much better, based on recent evidence.
The second position that needs strengthening is the deeper midfield, for which Ruben Amorim has been demanding a player since the first game of the pre-season.
Carlos Baleba was the dream target, but that chase has been postponed until the next season at the very least. But they’ve been given another reminder of the qualities of their transfer target, who they simply must buy.
Carlos Baleba in action for Brighton.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Matt O’Riley’s description of Carlos Baleba’s skill set is just what Man Utd need
A key demand of Amorim from this Man Utd squad is to ramp up their intensity, in or out of possession, and players personified that demand against Arsenal.
After watching that game, despite the defeat, it was clear how transformative an athletic midfielder would be for the team.
Casemiro tried his best, but he struggles to cover the ground at the same pace anymore, while Manuel Ugarte is in an even worse patch of form.
United need a player who wins his duels, eats up the ground, and frees up the more creative players to wreak havoc closer to the goal.
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It’s a thankless job, because that player will more often than not find himself on an island in midfield, which is why Brighton’s Matt O’Riley’s description of Carlos Baleba is perfect.
After Brighton’s 1-1 draw against Fulham in their Premier League opener, O’Riley praised Baleba, saying he just “smashes everything”, allowing him to play more freely.
He said: “It is very helpful to have him [Carlos Baleba] behind you, that’s for sure. It makes my life easier because he just smashes everyone, which is nice. I am very happy if we keep him.”
Baleba is simply a must-buy for Man Utd
United’s chase for Baleba might have ended this summer, but the story is not over yet.
Baleba sent a cheeky message after the draw against Fulham, and it has been clear for some time that he would be keen on a move to Old Trafford.
If anything, United showing their hand and registering their interest in the player before any other club might give them the upper hand next summer.
Brighton are undoubtedly salivating at the prospect of a bidding war next summer, but United have already shown they can avoid it.
This summer’s charm offensive for Baleba can lead to an Mbeumo-like scenario next summer, where the player says he only wants to join United.
That will scrap the bidding war, and United can then negotiate long and hard with Brighton for favourable terms.
If United needed any more clarity over who their top midfield target should be, O’Riley provided it again with the perfect description of Baleba’s skill set.
He’s simply a must-buy, even if that means watching Casemiro, Ugarte, and Kobbie Mainoo try to fill the gap next to Bruno Fernandes via a committee.