Former TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand has now singled out an “all-action” Premier League midfielder who could have a transformative impact for Ruben Amorim at Manchester United.
Manchester United are believed to be on the hunt for both a new striker and a new midfielder after the arrivals of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Diego Leon.
The Red Devils are limited with their spending powers and United still need to offload surplus first-team players from Ruben Amorim’s squad this summer.
United manager Amorim largely inherited the majority of his Red Devils first-team squad after he arrived from Sporting CP in 2024 and replaced Erik ten Hag.
However, he has been able to lay down an early foundation for his United side, with the likes of Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven both arriving in the January window.
Amorim’s midfield choices at Old Trafford are limited and the Red Devils lost further squad depth this summer after Christian Eriksen left the Premier League club.
Rio Ferdinand reveals what Brighton defensive midfielder Carlos Baleba could offer Ruben Amorim in the Man Utd team
It is believed that the Red Devils are mainly looking to sign a midfielder with defensive qualities to fit into Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United tactical system.
The Premier League club have been linked with several defensive midfielders this summer, including Atalanta star Ederson and Sporting CP skipper Morten Hjulmand.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand suggested that Brighton defensive midfielder Carlos Baleba screams the qualities of a Ruben “Amorim-type player.”
“Would I be happy with Manchester United going into the season as we are now? No,” he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents.
“I want one more, I’m being greedy. I want a striker and if I don’t get a striker, I’d go midfield.
“You’re probably thinking, ‘Who would you go and get?,’ and there’s only one name I’m thinking about, I’m going to be honest, guys, who I think fits the bill for what we need.
“He’s an Amorim-type player as well. Physically, he’s great. He can drive with the ball, he can take it in all areas, very good tactically, great energy, great legs, Premier League experience, central midfield… Baleba.
“That’s who I would go and get, that’s the one I would go and get. I’d go and break the bank.”
Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand breaks down Carlos Baleba and the Brighton star’s qualities for Man Utd and Ruben Amorim
Carlos Baleba has been at Brighton since 2023 after he was landed from Lille, with the Seagulls signing the Cameroon-born midfielder for a £23.2m transfer fee.
The 21-year-old Cameroon international was brought to Brighton after Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo completed his blockbuster transfer to Chelsea.
United legend Ferdinand argued that Baleba could have a “huge impact” at Old Trafford under Amorim and praised the “all-action” midfielder’s ability.
The footballer-turned-pundit added: “If I got the money for the four players [Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia, Antony and Jadon Sancho] that are surplus to requirements now, would I go and get a number nine or would I go and get Baleba?
“Would I get a number nine I’m not sure about, who is a bit young, inexperienced, or would I get Baleba who has Premier League experience? I’m going [for] Baleba.
“That’s who I’d get, I think he would have a huge impact on this squad and on this team.
“It would ease up a few people in that midfield as well because they would have a little less responsibility defensively because he’s all-action, he can do it all.”
Baleba has played in 77 matches for Brighton since his arrival in England and the Seagulls midfielder is under contract with the Premier League club until 2028.
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