Manchester United are close to signing Benjamin Sesko this summer to bolster the front-line, while now the midfield has became top priority.
While the attack was a major problem heading into this summer, the one position that simply must be strengthened over the coming days and weeks is central midfield.
Ruben Amorim has voiced his desire for a midfielder, stating after one pre-season game that his midfield options don’t have the athleticism or intensity to play his system.
The midfield has been a weak spot for Manchester United over the past couple of seasons, with the mind casting back to Erik ten Hag’s structure being torn to shreds every time the opposition counter-attacked.
Amorim’s improved midfield structure has helped ease this crisis, however, profile wise he would love to sign a mobile and physical number six.
Now, his dreams could be coming true as United have made an approach to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton this summer, with initial enquiries suggesting it will be a tricky deal to complete, but Ineos wouldn’t have made the move without some sort of confidence.
Signing Baleba would be a massive upgrade on Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte, while it could lock down a midfield partnership which sets United up for the next 10 years.
Carlos Baleba and Kobbie Mainoo complement eachother perfectly
Baleba is just 21 years old, yet already it seems inevitable that he will reach the same levels as Moises Caicedo who he is often compared with.
Already a Cameroon international, Baleba is a stellar number six who can do all the defensive aspects needed from a midfielder but also has the passing and dribbling to be perfect for Amorim.
If United are able to pull off the impossible and secure Baleba this summer, for a fee which is sure to be £87m or more, then the Brighton star would form a long term partnership with Kobbie Mainoo in midfield.
When the two midfielders are put into a comparison spider chart, it becomes clear why they would form a brilliant pairing in the centre of the park for United.
In the areas of the midfield that Mainoo struggles, Baleba excels, while both are excellent on the ball both at carrying and increasingly passing.
Mainoo’s long range passes are improving for United and if he gets paired with a player like Baleba then it could be game over for the rest of the division, as both could become the league’s best in their positions for a decade.
Why Manchester United want Carlos Baleba
When it comes to signing a midfielder who is perfect for this current United side right now, there is nobody better on the market than Baleba, with the Cameroonian set for a breakout season which could see him command a £100m plus fee next summer.
Rio Ferdinand has named Baleba as the perfect United midfielder and clearly the decision makers were listening, but when looking at his numbers in midfield, it is clear why he’s the top target.
| Stat | Per 90 | Percentile |
| Pass completion % | 87.4% | 74th |
| Progressive carries | 1.45 | 68th |
| Successful take-ons | 1.12 | 88th |
| Tackles | 2.67 | 79th |
| Interceptions | 1.56 | 90th |
| Blocks | 1.59 | 85th |
| Aerials won | 1.32 | 76th |
United wanted Baleba as early as 2023, so this isn’t an impulse buy, with the 21-year-old sure to improve.
Buying now would be genius, before he is the most wanted midfielder on the market next summer, but right now he is a massive improvement for the club.
This deal is far from guaranteed, but if it happens then it could be a very special campaign.
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