David Ornstein shares how Carlos Baleba now feels about signing for Manchester United

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Manchester United showed interest in Carlos Baleba in the summer, but now it is up in the air about whether Ineos will return in 2026.

Towards the end of the summer transfer window, Manchester United were shopping around for reinforcements in central midfield.

United were ready to bid for Carlos Baleba, but Brighton’s demands of a £100 million transfer fee meant that Ineos walked away from the table.

This season, Baleba has struggled for form, which has raised questions about whether United will return for the 21-year-old midfielder in 2026.

Baleba failed his audition at Old Trafford when Brighton came to town, which might worry Ruben Amorim. But transfer expert David Ornstein believes a move is still on the cards.

David Ornstein says Carlos Baleba wants Man United move

Over the summer, Baleba was open to joining United, but a bid never arrived so he stayed put at Brighton.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler says Baleba was impacted by the United links, which explains his underperformance this season.

Ornstein was asked who he would sign for United in 2026 if he was manager, and he did not hesitate to name Carlos Baleba.

“Carlos Baleba,” Ornstein said.

“They want him, he wants them. Brighton don’t want to let him go but we will see what the future holds, because they need to upgrade in that number six department, Ruben Amorim wants to, and that could help complete their rebuild.”

Carlos Baleba has fallen down Man United priority list

It is no secret that United want to sign a midfielder in 2026, and Ineos could push to make it happen in January rather than in the summer.

Baleba is still on United’s radar, but other Premier League-proven midfielders have also entered the picture.

READ MORE: Man Utd striker target admits he wants to play alongside Carlos Baleba in Premier League ‘dream’

United are showing interest in Elliot Anderson, and unlike Baleba, Anderson thrived against United this season when Amorim’s side travelled to face Nottingham Forest.

Adam Wharton is another player on United’s radar, while Graeme Bailey exclusively revealed to United in Focus that United are keeping tabs on Alex Scott amid his call-up to the England squad.