Manchester United have a long list of potential midfield targets ahead of the summer, but sports journalist Alex Crook has revealed who is most likely to be moving to Old Trafford ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
In Manchester United’s scoreless draw against Sunderland on Saturday, Michael Carrick got a taste of what it is like to be without Casemiro in midfield.
Casemiro sustained an injury in training, but should return in time to face Brentford, which will be his final outing at Old Trafford as a United player.
Carrick was also without Manuel Ugarte, although the Uruguay international is likely to be sold this summer. This meant Mason Mount partnered with Kobbie Mainoo in midfield against the Black Cats.
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Carlos Baleba deemed a likely summer signing for Man Utd
United have no shortage of midfield targets if you believe everything you read.
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is thought to be a primary target, with others sparking interest in the Premier League.
The others include Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.
United launched a failed pursuit to sign Baleba last summer, before Brighton priced the Cameroon international out of a transfer.
Alex Crook from talkSPORT has assessed several midfield options for United, name-checking Baleba as the most likely option.
“Well, I think Elliot Anderson would be the dream target, but I think he’s going to go to Manchester City, unfortunately,” Crook said.
“Adam Wharton, the links with Liverpool are a lot louder than they are with United at this moment in time. Carlos Baleba is a player that has always been right at the top of their wish list.
“Obviously, they tried to sign him last summer. They asked the question again in January, so I would imagine they’re going to go back in.
“Tchouameni, I think, is a distinct possibility, depending on the transfer fee and the salary demands.
“Ederson at Atalanta, the noises there seem to be growing a bit louder. I’m a little bit unconvinced by him. I’m asking the question, is there a risk here he could be another Manuel Ugarte, someone not proven in the Premier League?
“The big reason the last summer window was so successful is because they made a deliberate point of targeting players who have been there, done it in the Premier League. So I’d be a little bit worried about bringing in a Casemiro replacement from abroad. But they could sign three midfielders, because Ugarte will go for a cut price
“They need to replace Casemiro and they probably need another body in there already. It’s fanciful to suggest they can sign two or three 80 million, 100 million pound players.
“So they’re going to have to be a little bit clever.
“I’d say Baleba probably the most likely in terms of the big money ones at the moment.”
- ⚡️ NEWS IN BRIEF
- Manchester United are still eyeing a move for Brighton’s Carlos Baleba
- Alex Crook from talkSPORT believes Baleba is a likely transfer for Manchester United
- Aurelien Tchouameni is a “distinct possibility”
What is the MAXIMUM you would pay for Carlos Baleba this summer?
After a tough season, how much should Manchester United be risking?
Carlos Baleba eager to play European football
Brighton jumped to seventh in the Premier League to boost their hopes of European qualification following a 3-0 win over Wolves on Saturday.
With two games left to play, including a season finale against United, Baleba says he is “excited” by the prospect of European qualification.
“I’m very excited for Europe,” Baleba told BBC Radio Sussex in a post-match interview over the weekend.
“Europe is the first objective for the team – we want to play in Europe. We are in seventh position, we keep going, we have two games and we go step-by-step. At the end of the season we will see.
“I am happy to play regularly, I am happy for the group. My game is getting better and better. I learn from the few bad moments. It’s OK – I am happy with that.”
Of course, if Baleba signs for United this summer, he will be playing in the Champions League next season.
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