After a decidedly turbulent 2024/25 Premier League season, which saw Manchester United languish in an unfamiliar 15th place, the clamour for radical change at Old Trafford reached a crescendo. Enter Ruben Amorim, the 40-year-old tactician who took the reins from Erik ten Hag in November. With the summer transfer window now fully open, Amorim has been granted a clear mandate: to dismantle the old and construct a squad capable of competing at the highest level once more. This isn`t merely a rebuild; it`s a strategic overhaul, and the latest target speaks volumes about the club`s evolving vision.
The Rebuilding Mandate: An Offensive Prelude
Amorim wasted no time in his initial phase, meticulously clearing out what he deemed “deadwood” from the first-team squad. This necessary, if at times ruthless, purge set the stage for significant investment. Over £130 million has already been disbursed to secure the services of dynamic attackers Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford and Matheus Cunha from Wolves. Further amplifying their offensive intent, reports suggest a substantial £74 million bid has been tabled for 22-year-old Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko, who has reportedly agreed personal terms.
While the prospect of this formidable attacking trio excites the fanbase, Amorim`s blueprint extends beyond just firepower. Despite these significant investments in forward positions, the Portuguese manager evidently seeks more, particularly in the engine room of the team. The midfield, often criticized for its lack of cohesion and defensive solidity, is now firmly in his sights.
Manchester United`s new attacking additions, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
The Midfield Conundrum: Baleba`s Emergence as the £100M Pivot
The hunt for midfield reinforcement has seen various names linked, including Juventus`s Douglas Luiz, who has recently re-emerged on United`s shortlist. However, a new, considerably more ambitious target has surfaced, commanding attention across Europe: Carlos Baleba of Brighton & Hove Albion. According to French sports daily L’Equipe, United are not alone in their admiration, with Premier League rivals Liverpool and Arsenal also vying for the 21-year-old Cameroonian`s signature before the September 1st transfer deadline.
Despite the fierce competition, the report indicates that Manchester United are currently in pole position for Baleba. The suggested transfer fee? A staggering £100 million. This sum, if materialized, would represent a club-record acquisition, underscoring the perceived transformative impact Baleba is expected to have. It`s a price tag that raises eyebrows, a testament to both his potential and the current market`s inflated realities, particularly for players with Premier League experience.
Douglas Luiz was on Manchester United`s radar, but attention has shifted.
The “Bruno Effect”: Unlocking Attacking Potential
The strategic rationale behind such an astronomical outlay becomes clearer when considering the role of Bruno Fernandes. Last season, the Portuguese international was, by far, Manchester United’s most prolific contributor, registering an astounding 38 combined goals and assists. This remarkable tally undoubtedly served as a bulwark against a more significant struggle, even propelling them to the Europa League final, where they ultimately fell short against Tottenham Hotspur.
Since his arrival in January 2020, Fernandes has been a consistent, albeit at times overburdened, presence, featuring in 290 appearances primarily as an attacking midfielder. However, with Mbeumo and Cunha expected to occupy the primary number ten roles behind the striker next season, Fernandes is likely to transition into a deeper central midfield position. This shift, while seemingly a step back for a player known for his attacking flair, could in fact be his liberation, thanks to the potential arrival of Baleba.
Bruno Fernandes`s exceptional 2024/25 statistics underscore his importance.
Baleba`s profile as a ball-winning midfielder could be the perfect complement to the 30-year-old Fernandes. By providing a robust, defensively sound presence at the heart of the midfield, Baleba could free Fernandes from many of the deeper defensive responsibilities, allowing him to focus on what he does best: orchestrating attacks, delivering incisive passes, and causing havoc in the final third. The Cameroonian`s ability to break up play would grant Bruno the luxury of pressing higher and engaging more directly in offensive sequences, even from a nominally deeper starting position.
Carlos Baleba: Beyond the Price Tag – A Profile in Progress
Analyst circles have lauded Baleba as “phenomenal,” and his statistics from last season provide a compelling argument for such praise. He averaged an impressive 2.3 tackles per 90 minutes and 1.4 interceptions, showcasing his innate talent for disrupting opposition play. Furthermore, his defensive contribution extends to blocking, where he notably outshines several current United players, including established defenders and midfielders:
| How Baleba compares to Man Utd players for blocks made (2024/25) | |
|---|---|
| Player | Tally (per 90) |
| 1. Carlos Baleba | 1.6 |
| 2. Matthijs de Ligt | 0.9 |
| 3. Harry Maguire | 0.6 |
| = Casemiro | 0.6 |
| 4. Lisandro Martínez | 0.4 |
| = Christian Eriksen | 0.4 |
| 5. Diogo Dalot | 0.3 |
| = Noussair Mazraoui | 0.3 |
| Stats via FotMob | |
Beyond his defensive acumen, Baleba also exhibits considerable prowess with the ball at his feet. He boasts an impressive 88% pass completion rate, with 3.7 of his passes per 90 minutes successfully penetrating the final third. This ability to not only recover possession but also initiate attacks is precisely what a team aiming for dominance requires. His offensive contribution is further highlighted by a 58% success rate in take-ons and three long-range goals last season, demonstrating a well-rounded skill set that belies his age.
Carlos Baleba`s dynamic play has caught the eye of top clubs.
A Calculated Risk for a Comprehensive Transformation
The £100 million valuation for a player with just two years of top-flight English experience might seem an audacious sum. However, in the context of Manchester United`s ambitious summer, it represents a calculated gamble – an investment in a player whose attributes are tailor-made to address a critical structural need. Should Baleba replicate his impressive performances from the AMEX Stadium, thriving both in and out of possession, he would not only bolster Amorim`s options but also critically enhance the overall team balance. This signing could be the missing piece that allows Bruno Fernandes, the team`s irreplaceable talisman, to continue his influential role, even as he embraces a slightly deeper, yet equally potent, position in Manchester United`s evolving midfield dynamic. It`s a clear statement of intent: Manchester United is not just buying players; they are investing in a system, a synergy, and a return to competitive relevance.
