Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has revealed his latest position on a key summer transfer target for the Red Devils in recent weeks.
Manchester United still have the opportunity to further enhance the first-team squad at Old Trafford under manager Ruben Amorim before the window slams shut.
The Red Devils splashed out ahead of the 2025-26 Premier League season to reinforce key areas, with United already signing four players this summer.
Matheus Cunha arrived at Old Trafford in June and Bryan Mbeumo and Diego Leon were both signed in July, while United landed Benjamin Sesko earlier this month.
Despite the boost in attacking options with Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, United have shown weakness between the sticks and in midfield.
United have been linked with signing a potential shot-stopper and a defensive midfielder before the summer transfer window closes on 1st September.
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Former TNT Sports pundit and Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand looks on during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Fulham at Villa Park in 2025 in Birmingham, England.
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
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Rio Ferdinand makes his current feelings clear on Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba amid Man Utd’s transfer interest
Carlos Baleba emerged on Manchester United’s transfer radar and the Red Devils’ interest in the Brighton midfielder intensified in recent weeks amid the window.
United manager Ruben Amorim is keen for a new midfielder for his tactical system and the 21-year-old Cameroonian had been identified as a top target this summer.
The Red Devils reportedly made inquiries around the potential cost of signing Carlos Baleba, but United’s interest has since cooled after Brighton’s refusal to sell him.
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, the Manchester United legend has pointed out that “everybody” has felt that Baleba is the right signing to fix the issues in midfield.
Rio Ferdinand is a big admirer of Baleba and had been keen on United signing the Seagulls talent, but he has admitted that the transfer is now unlikely to happen.
“But right now, listen, I look at it right now there’s no guarantee that Man Utd are gonna go and get a player who’s got the legs, like a Baleba for instance, who’s been talked about by everybody as being that player,” he said on his YouTube channel.
“They can’t get him. Brighton won’t sell. So, what does the manager do?”
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Rio Ferdinand speaks on Man Utd trying to solve a major midfield problem without signing Carlos Baleba from Brighton
United-linked Carlos Baleba is under contract with Brighton until 2028 and the Seagulls are expected to play hardball over any negotiations around the player.
It is believed that Brighton have slapped a hefty £115m price tag on the Cameroon international to fend off interest ahead of the summer transfer window closing.
Ferdinand has said that he is now keen to see how Amorim looks to address the United midfield and the two-man pivot in the manager’s tactical system.
The former TNT Sports pundit continued: “I’m interested to see in the next three or four games who he puts in there and how the team play with that two?
“Because it’s an important part of the pitch – I’ve always said. It’s always very, very important.”
United are currently 16th in the Premier League table after losing 1-0 to Arsenal at Old Trafford before picking up a 1-1 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage.