Manchester United fans seem to have moved on from Carlos Baleba as he continues to play poorly for Brighton, but what he’s doing at AFCON right now seems to confirm a theory.
Elliot Anderson has emerged as Man Utd’s primary target for next summer’s transfer window, usurping Carlos Baleba quite comprehensively.
Part of it is down to Anderson being simply unstoppable this season, but part of it is also because Baleba has been consistently poor for Brighton.
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It reached a point where even Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler accepted that Man Utd’s summer interest played a part in unsettling him, and that theory seems to be getting confirmed at AFCON.
Carlos Baleba is ramping it up at AFCON
The question that has dominated Man Utd’s transfer circles this season has simply been – Was Baleba’s last season simply a one-season wonder, or is his head in Manchester, which is contributing to this collapse in form?
If the former is the case, then United were saved from themselves by Brighton in the summer, and won’t go back in for him next summer.
However, if the latter is the case, then it just endears him more to Man United fans because he’s so committed to joining the club that he can’t even concentrate properly.
Considering Baleba’s exploits at the current AFCON, it is looking increasingly likely that the latter is the case, which is a signal to Ruben Amorim to confirm the Man Utd theory.
Baleba was subbed off at half-time for Cameroon’s first game, but he did well until then, before going on to play the full 90 against Amad’s Ivory Coast.
He progressed the ball forward, ate up the ground like a man possessed, threw himself into duels with abandon, and kept the play ticking with short, simple passes.
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It was the ideal performance that Amorim wants from his defensive-minded No. 6 in a back-three setup, and it proves that his contract is at Brighton, but his heart is in Manchester.
Man Utd need to aim for an ambitious double swoop
If Baleba continues to do poorly at Brighton while playing well for Cameroon at AFCON, then Ineos will need to rethink their transfer strategy.
Elliot Anderson still warrants his priority target billing because he’s going from strength to strength, but Baleba, at this point, is doing all he can to lower Brighton’s valuation.
In an ideal scenario, both Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte will be moved on, and Bruno Fernandes will go to a rotational role, making Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, and Kobbie Mainoo the other midfield options.
Considering United don’t really have an urgent need elsewhere in the squad like they had last summer with the attack, all their energy should be concentrated on transforming the midfield.
If that’s the case, then this outing by Baleba for Cameroon might be the tipping point that gets Ineos to redraw their transfer plans and make him the second target again.
Who knows, they might get the 2024/25 Baleba at Old Trafford next season.
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