Manchester United’s midfield continues to dominate transfer headlines, with Ruben Amorim intent on reshaping the heart of his side before the transfer window closes.
The club have already committed over £200m this summer on Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško, but despite this heavy spending there remains a glaring gap in midfield.
Amorim’s tactical blueprint demands an athletic, technically secure player to complement captain Bruno Fernandes.
bruno-fernandes-fulham-man-united
So far, the Portuguese coach has opted for 33-year-old Casemiro, with mixed results.
United narrowly fell to defeat against Arsenal on the opening weekend before following up with a frustrating 1-1 draw at Fulham, leaving Amorim with just four Premier League wins since taking charge last November.
Bruno Fernandes stats vs Fulham
Midfielder pushing for Man Utd move
The club’s lack of European football this season adds further pressure to get domestic results right.
With last year’s disastrous 15th-place finish and Europa League final defeat to Spurs still fresh in the memory, United cannot afford another season of underachievement.
Amorim knows the answer lies in midfield, and the search has become increasingly urgent.
According to reporter Ross Harwood, Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba is now waiting for a deal to be finalised, hopeful that his long-anticipated move to Old Trafford can be sealed before the September deadline.
The journalist noted: "Baleba is eager to get this move before the window closes - he feels now is the only chance."
Brighton & Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba in action with Manchester City's Mateo Kovacic
Brighton & Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba in action with Manchester City's Mateo Kovacic
The 21-year-old, described as “colossal” by journalist Aden-Jay Wood, has emerged as United’s primary midfield target.
However, there is also interest in Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Sevilla’s Lucien Agoumé.
adam-wharton-palace
Baleba was visibly distracted during Brighton’s 2-1 defeat to Everton at the weekend, withdrawn at half-time following conversations with manager Fabian Hürzeler.
Reports suggest the player is not in the right frame of mind, desperate for the switch to materialise as he feels this window could represent his best chance.
United’s pursuit, however, is complicated by Brighton’s valuation. The Seagulls are holding out for £100m, a figure comparable to Palace’s price tag for Wharton.
Why Baleba fits better than Mainoo
The deal, if completed, would cap off another transformative summer for United’s squad.
But it is also a gamble, one that comes amid a backdrop of criticism regarding the club’s recruitment, with some questioning whether such heavy investment is sustainable without the cushion of Champions League revenues.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim applauds fans after the match
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim applauds fans after the match
To understand why Amorim is pushing so hard for Baleba, it is necessary to look at United’s current midfield balance – and in particular, the situation surrounding academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo.
The 20-year-old remains a fan favourite, scoring a famous goal in the FA Cup victory over Manchester City and earning a starting role for England in the Euro 2024 final.
Yet under Amorim, opportunities have been limited.
Mainoo has started just 15 of the manager’s 44 games in charge, and this season has been an unused substitute in both league fixtures so far.
The reason lies in Amorim’s system, something he outlined over the weekend.
Mainoo Amorim quotes
Preferring to deploy an attacking-minded player alongside his defensive midfielder, Amorim has little room for another deep-lying option unless Fernandes shifts into one of the number ten roles currently occupied by Cunha and Mbeumo.
With Fernandes unlikely to be dropped, Mainoo finds himself caught in a tactical squeeze.
Baleba, by contrast, offers qualities that fit directly into the Portuguese coach’s demands.
Aged 21 and under contract at Brighton until 2028, the Cameroonian midfielder made 34 league appearances last season, contributing three goals and one assist.
His athleticism, work rate and progressive tendencies stand out when compared with Mainoo’s more measured style.
The numbers underline this difference.
Carlos Baleba 2024-25 stats (timeless)
Carlos Baleba 2024-25 stats (timeless)
According to FBref, Baleba made more tackles (2.67 to 2.51) and blocks (1.59 to 0.87), highlighting his greater presence without the ball.
In terms of possession, the pair are evenly matched. Mainoo averaged slightly more touches (58.0 per 90 compared to Baleba’s 57.3 but trailed in pass completion rate (86.5% against 87.4%).
The statistics suggest both are technically secure, but Baleba’s edge in carrying, passing progression and defensive activity point to a midfielder more suited to Amorim’s high-energy, dual-pivot approach.
Premier League - 2024/25
Stat
Matches Played
Starts
Shot-Creating Actions
Progressive Carries
Progressive Passes
Source: FBref
Mainoo’s situation is not necessarily terminal. His talent is undeniable, and he could still evolve into a central figure at Old Trafford.
But in the here and now, Amorim requires an engine capable of covering ground, breaking lines, and complementing Fernandes’ creativity. That profile aligns more closely with Baleba than with the academy product.
Brighton & Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba in action with Newcastle United's Joe Willock
Brighton & Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba in action with Newcastle United's Joe Willock
Of course, there are risks. A £100m outlay would demand consistent excellence from the Cameroonian, and Brighton are renowned for extracting maximum value from departing players.
There is also the question of squad balance - investing heavily in yet another attacking-minded player while defensive reinforcements remain limited could backfire.
Yet the logic behind the move is clear. If Manchester United are to restore control and consistency in midfield, they need a player capable of combining technical quality with physical dominance.
Baleba, by all accounts, is eager to be that player.
Whether United can meet Brighton’s demands before the window closes will determine whether Amorim gets the midfielder he craves.