Manchester United have been interested in Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba this summer but they stepped away from a potential deal a couple of weeks ago.
The signings of Benjamin Šeško, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have improved Manchester United’s frontline this summer.
But the Reds are missing something in their midfield and that has been the case for a long time at Old Trafford.
It seemed like Carlos Baleba might have been the solution but that deal started to look unlikely for United this summer, with reports claiming that they will return next year.
With just days remaining in the transfer window, there is not a lot of time for United to do any more business but we have seen the club panic buy players in these situations before.
Hurzeler makes clear Baleba claim after United suggestion
United are yet to win this season and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League Two outfit Grimsby Town on Wednesday evening.
It is reminiscent to the start made in the 2022/23 season, and the Reds went onto spend more than £150 million on Casemiro and Antony.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler was asked this week how confident he is that Baleba will be staying at Brighton considering some clubs ‘panic’ and could make a ‘big offer’ for Baleba in the final days of the window.
It is no secret which club the reporter was referring to, but Hurzeler still made it incredibly clear that he expects the Cameroon international to stay at Brighton after the transfer window closes.
“Yes [I am 100% confident]. If there was a number more than 100, I would say more than 100, I’m confident,” he said.
United have midfield disadvantage
United are currently playing in a midfield two under Amorim and this is the specific area where complaints about Amorim’s system arise.
Most other clubs will have three in midfield and there’s an immediate advantage in the engine room. United rely on their wide centre-backs stepping into that space.
But whether Amorim changes or not, someone like Baleba is needed. Some would say that a midfield three of Baleba, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes would work brilliantly.
There is not much confidence that United will solve their problem in this area this summer, and Amorim simply just has to find a way to improve as things stand.
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