Carlos Baleba faces heartbreak as his dream to sign for Manchester United may come to a close amid his poor form with Brighton this season.
Last summer, Carlos Baleba was heavily linked to Manchester United. However, former head coach Ruben Amorim focused his efforts on improving his front line, and after the signings of Benjamin Šeško, Bryan Mbeumo and Mathues Cunha, the club didn’t have the money for Baleba, who stayed in Brighton.
Baleba impressed for Brighton last season, with several Premier League clubs sharing their interest in the Cameroonian international, though this campaign has not seen the same praise being sent Baleba’s way.
The 22-year-old has had a rather disappointing season, and his most recent fixture was no exception to this as Fabian Hürzeler took him off in the middle of the first half in their 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa.
After United didn’t make any new signings during the January transfer window, Baleba had high hopes that his spot at United would be almost guaranteed, but his lapse in performance has left him off of United’s three-man midfield shortlist.
Baleba doesn’t make new United shortlist
Baleba’s individual performances this season are arguably not worth his £100m price tag, and have caused United to cast their eyes elsewhere.
New reports claim that United have expressed interest in Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, who has impressed the club recently.
Tonali then joins United’s midfield shortlist alongside Nottingham Forest’s Eliott Anderson and Liverpool’s Eliott Wharton, with no mention of Baleba as one of those currently on their list.
With Baleba’s poor performances this year and three big-name players already on the Red Devils’ radar, Baleba may have to give up on his hopes to play at Old Trafford, with the club prioritising other talent.
Hurzeler on Baleba’s form
While Manchester United are not best pleased regarding Baleba’s form, the youngster seems to share the same sentiment. In their Wednesday night clash against Aston Villa, Baleba was spotted by TV cameras burying his head in his shirt as he watched on from the bench.
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Hurzeler spoke on Baleba’s situation after the game, telling reporters, “I’m not happy with the yellow card he gets, so absolutely the wrong decision for me to give him… the first foul wasn’t even a bad foul, not a tactical foul, a yellow card,” he said.
“Then of course we had to take care of him so that was the only reason. But it was a big impact from the referee to give that yellow card, therefore, we had to make the substitution.”
“I think it’s normal for a young player when the media creates the noise around him,” Hurzeler finished.
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