Carlos Baleba has made a surprising admission when speaking about transfer links to Manchester United from the summer window.
Manchester United spent more than £200 million on four senior signings over the summer in an effort to strengthen Ruben Amorim’s squad.
Benjamin Šeško, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha were added to boost the club’s attacking depth, while Senne Lammens arrived to reinforce the goalkeeping department.
Despite those investments, several important positions still require improvement, prompting United to shift their attention toward plans for next summer’s transfer window.
The club had considered a move for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba before the end of August, but challenging negotiations with the Seagulls led United to shelve their interest until 2026.
Since the start of the 2025/26 season, Baleba has struggled for form at the Amex Stadium and delivered a disappointing performance during Brighton’s visit to Old Trafford in October.
Baleba makes surprise admission about United transfer links
Many people, including Baleba’s manager Fabian Hurzeler, have suggested that the player was impacted by the links to United in the summer.
The 21-year-old has addressed the situation and admitted that he has felt a lot of pressure this season and that he ‘put too much’ pressure on himself at the start of the season.
“I don’t think it [the transfer rumours] affected me,” Baleba told Sky Sports News. “But I had a lot of pressure on me. When I started the season, I wanted to [have] the same performances as last season.
“Every day I try to work hard and to get [back] to my level. Did I put too much pressure on myself? Yes, I think so, but I think that’s good.
“It’s good for me because now I need to pass this time of pressure and I need to get up and continue to work.”
United will make midfield changes
Baleba’s form has not been great but he remains an option for United next summer. You would imagine that the Reds are going to try and lowball Brighton if his form does not improve drastically.
Changes in the engine room are going to happen and there could be more than one major addition in the position.
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None of United’s current midfielders – Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte or Bruno Fernandes – are guaranteed to be at the club next season. Many are expecting at least two of them to leave and they will need to be replaced well.
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