Wayne Rooney has backed Manchester United for relative success this summer amid the club’s attempts to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton.
Rúben Amorim enters the 2025/26 season tasked with reviving Manchester United after their most disappointing campaign in recent memory.
Last term, United finished 15th in the Premier League and went without a trophy for the first time in three years, losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur and exiting both domestic cups early.
In response, the club have embarked on an ambitious summer rebuild, spending over £200 million to bring in Matheus Cunha, Diego Leon, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Šeško, addressing several problem areas in the squad.
United’s domestic season begins in mid-August at Old Trafford against Arsenal, with Amorim determined to carry the momentum from a strong pre-season tour of the United States into competitive action.
Rooney backs United for top five
After finishing 15th in the league last season, many feared the worst for the club, but their ability to pull off three major transfers to revolutionise their front line has piqued the interest of those keeping an eye on the club.
While there are still general predictions that United will finish on the higher end of midtable, former United striker and club legend Wayne Rooney believes that, should the club secure one or two further transfers, they can sneak into the top five.
‘I think they still need one or two more signings, but I can see what Amorim is doing,” Rooney said on the BBC.
“It’s looking better for Man United, and I think they will sneak into the top five. I hope they do, and you never know.”
Who are the signings Rooney alludes to?
It is clear that the club must sanction several exits to free up both funds for transfers and space in the squad to bring in what Amorim needs, which the manager feels is a defensive midfielder.
According to transfer expert David Ornstein, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba is seen as “absolutely essential” to United’s midfield plans, with the 21-year-old midfielder sitting at the very top of their shortlist.
Amorim is said to be a “big fan” of the Cameroon international, who fits the profile United are targeting for the number six role.
Ornstein reports that United have begun exploring the situation and have held conversations with Brighton through intermediaries to try to establish a potential price. However, as of now, no formal figure has been set, and Brighton have made it clear they do not intend to sell.
The South Coast Club would prefer to keep Baleba for at least another year and is not believed to be under any pressure to cash in. While United’s interest is strong, they face a significant challenge in convincing Brighton to part ways with one of their most important players.
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