Wayne Rooney is looking forward to seeing Carlos Baleba at Old Trafford (Image: Richard Parkes and BBC)
Wayne Rooney is looking forward to seeing Carlos Baleba at Old Trafford
Wayne Rooney believes Carlos Baleba will make a big impact at Manchester United when he completes his move from Albion.
Baleba is expected to head north in a deal worth £70 million and become United’s third midfield summer signing after Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos.
Tielemans and Santos both made debuts on Saturday as they started the lacklustre 2-0 Premier League defeat at newly promoted Hull.
“I really like him (Baleba), I think he’s a really good signing,” United’s record scorer told the Stick To United With Wayne Rooney podcast on Disney+.
“We need another midfield player with a bit of physicality and I know he’s not six-foot-four or whatever.
“But he covers the ground really well, he’s aggressive, he takes the ball, and is what we need. He’s a very good player who will improve the team massively.
“It will be interesting with Tielemans, Santos and (Kobbie) Mainoo but this is what it should be. Competition for places. If you don’t play well, you don’t play.”
The 22-year-old Baleba attracted interest from United last season.
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Albion were widely reported to have set a £100 million price tag although, in reality, chairman Tony Bloom had already decided Baleba would not leave until at least this summer.
He subsequently had a largely underwhelming campaign, starting only 23 Premier League games and failing to score.
Rooney added: “I don’t think he went missing. The chance doesn’t come around that often to play for Manchester United, so you don’t know what effect that has.
“There’s no denying his ability as a player. I think he is a top player.”