Manchester United manager Michael Carrick
Manchester United's deal to sign Carlos Baleba is now more important than ever after their shock defeat to Hull City.
The Red Devils were outfought by the newly-promoted side with manager Michael Carrick's new-look midfield off the pace.
Youri Tielemans in action for Manchester United against Hull3
Tielemans had a tough debut for Manchester United in the 2-0 defeat to Hull
Youri Tielemans arrived from Aston Villa for £35million, while Andrey Santos joined from Chelsea in a £50m transfer, however, both looked well below-par.
Meanwhile, Man United captain Bruno Fernandes managed just one shot on target, three touches inside the Hull penalty area, and three chances created.
Manchester United poor against Hull
And former Premier League striker Tony Cascarino couldn't believe what he witnessed from some of their key players.
"I was amazed how many Manchester United players didn't look fit," he said.
"Some of them obviously didn't go to the World Cup. So, I don't know what sort of summers they had but Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire weren't there, Youri Tielemans came out of the World Cup quite early, and Cunha came out quite early.
"There's a number of players. Bryan Mbeumo didn't go to the World Cup either.
Manchester United's midfield issues
"I mean, the two midfield boys, Tielemans and Andrey Santos, were really off the pace.
"I normally use this as a bit of a joke but when I say someone's 'out standing', like Bruno Fernandes, yesterday was 'out standing'. The problem is everyone else was 'out running' - he wasn't doing anything.
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"Bruno Fernandes is a player that I've always felt, you can see there's so much quality there. But when he goes missing, he really goes missing."
"They were awful," he added. "I mean, there's no other phrase for it. There's no wrapping it up. I mean, I'm looking at the paper today and there's, you know, I've seen the word pulverised and demolished.
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes gestures to receive the ball against Hull3
Fernandes also didn't have the best of games and lacked his usual creative spark
Carlos Baleba playing for Brighton3
Baleba has been with Brighton since August 2023, but is now heading to United
"Man United fans have had a real reality check and I'm sure Michael Carrick will turn it around. They'll get players back. But that was something really to be concerned about."
Carlos Baleba to join Manchester United
There is still time for the Red Devils to get things right and Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba appears set to join them.
He will arrive for around £70m with a sell-on clause one-year on from a failed chase for the Cameroon star.
Asked why Baleba is now a key signing, he added: "He can get round the pitch, high tempo, pressing, closing down, whatever way you want to look at it.
"I played against numerous Manchester United teams. They didn't let you breathe. You went to Old Trafford, you had a tin hat on. And that was basically so you wouldn't get battered because Manchester United not only were great technically, they had great mentality, they also could fight.
"This team yesterday didn't look like they had a fight in them because that's what the whole city were about. And that's why they got beaten."