Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has expressed his delight over the signing of Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba.
The Cameroon international was a long-term target for United, and the club signed him earlier this month despite an ankle injury sustained in pre-season.
Baleba is still a few weeks away from returning to training, but Carrick believes he has massive potential and represents a really exciting signing for United.
He said in today’s press conference: “Yeah, listen, we’re delighted to have Carlos. He has huge potential, massive potential. It’s a really exciting signing for us.
“The quality that he has, and attributes he has offsets the balance of the group a little bit. Different strengths, different combinations.
“For us to have that, we’re absolutely delighted to have him. There’s so much more to come from him as well, which, with the player that he already is, with that little bit more to come, is exciting for us.”
Baleba needs to prove his credentials after huge outlay
The 22-year-old joined the Red Devils from Brighton for a package worth £70 million.
That represents a reasonable figure with the inflated transfer deals this summer, but Baleba still needs to prove his credentials after the huge fee spent on him.
Baleba was initially on United’s radar last summer, but a deal never materialised. The transfer speculation surprisingly had an impact on his performances last term.
He was below par in almost every attribute for the Seagulls. The former Lille man averaged only 53 minutes per league game and came on as a substitute many times.
Despite this, United believe in his long-term potential. The hierarchy feel the speculation hampered Baleba, and he will come good for the Red Devils in the future.
Based on his 2024/25 season form, Baleba can be considered a superb acquisition. He is a good ball-playing midfielder who is also brilliant at winning tackles and duels.
The Cameroonian has the attributes to become an elite number six, and he could make the defensive midfield position his own at United once he is fully fit and firing.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com