Manchester United’s new stance on Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba has been revealed, as a new transfer strategy has also been confirmed.
Carlos Baleba once looked nailed on to join Manchester United and play alongside Bruno Fernandes in Rúben Amorim’s double pivot. However, on Saturday evening, Baleba faced off against United at Old Trafford and came out on the losing side.
United looked a level above Brighton and Hove Albion for the majority of the match, bar a 20-minute spell when Danny Welbeck converted from a free kick and Charalampos Kostoulas scored from a James Milner corner.
While Baleba started the game, he played for just 59 minutes before being withdrawn for the Premier League veteran. The Cameroonian is yet to play 90 minutes for his club this season, despite his impressive performances last campaign.
Unfortunately for the 21-year-old, he has yet to showcase the ability that led United to approach Brighton in the summer. The links to England’s biggest football club seem to have affected the promising midfielder.
United now sceptical over Baleba deal
In the summer, it appeared that United were prepared to spend over £100 million to bring Baleba to Old Trafford before the end of the transfer window. However, Brighton’s £130 million valuation made a deal impossible with just weeks before the deadline.
All signs pointed towards the Red Devils re-entering the race next summer, but a TeamTalk report has suggested that United may now consider other options before approaching Brighton once again.
While United feel Baleba is “still growing in the game”, his current price tag will be too much for Jason Wilcox to consider making an offer. His poor performance against United on Saturday hasn’t helped his case if he is still hoping for a move to Old Trafford.
However, the recent news on Manuel Ugarte could suggest that United will be looking for a midfielder sooner rather than later, especially if Casemiro isn’t offered a new contract before the end of the season.
United could be in for a complete midfielder overhaul next summer: Ugarte hasn’t been good enough, Casemiro’s contract is expiring, Fernandes could see offers from Saudi Arabia again, and Kobbie Mainoo could demand a move if his playing time hasn’t improved.
United’s new transfer plan confirmed
In the same report, TeamTalk have revealed that United’s transfer plan will be to sign one midfielder in the January transfer window, before signing another in the summer.
While it doesn’t state if one will be a cheaper option, United are unlikely to make two high-profile signings in the same position just six months apart, although Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo’s moves last summer could prove otherwise.
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Brentford’s Yehor Yarmoliuk have been mentioned as options, while Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton remains on the shortlist.
If United want to turn outside of the Premier League, Sporting CP’s Morten Hjulmand will likely be the favoured candidate.
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