Manchester United spent over £200million strengthening multiple areas of the team in the summer, but the midfield department was overlooked despite targets being identified.
The summer transfer window saw Manchester United focus on bolstering their attacking department.
Ruben Amorim said goodbye to several players like Antony and Alejandro Garnacho, while others left on loan with clauses that could see their temporary moves made permanent.
United signed a total of five players in the summer, including three attackers, a left wing-back and a goalkeeper.
New goalkeeper Senne Lammens made his debut in United’s 2-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday, while Bryan Mbeumo was voted the club’s Player of the Month in August, and Benjamin Sesko has two goals to his name.
It wasn’t the first transfer window in recent memory that United overlooked deficiencies in midfield, after a failed pursuit of Brighton’s Carlos Baleba.
Man Utd still tracking Carlos Baleba despite questionable start to the season
United were linked with a £100m move for Baleba in the summer after establishing himself as a key player at the AMEX Stadium.
Amorim’s midfield is overrun most weeks, so he will need to dip into the transfer market to change that, unless he makes his double pivot a trio or demands more support from his wing-backs.
Brighton wanted big money for Baleba after two impressive seasons at the club similarly to how they profited from Alexis Mac Allister, Moises Caicedo and Yves Bissouma in previous years.
However, Baleba’s form has dipped significantly since he has been linked to United.
Brighton boss Fabian Hürzeler admits that Baleba’s head has been turned by United links, which may suggest that United dodged a bullet, but they are still tracking the 21-year-old midfielder.
Football reporter Dave Jones believes United are still interested in Baleba and Amorim is the driving force behind the transfer pursuit.
“Now, Man United’s interest in the player does still exist. He was pretty specific to Amorim in terms of what they were looking for.
“So I do think there is a slight attachment in this coming back around, as long as Amorim is still there and trusted to still remain there. But there has also been a feeling that Liverpool would go in for him next year if they felt they needed someone of his type. So let’s look out for that.
“But Baleba, he’s only 21. So I think that was probably a very hard moment for him to manage, like suddenly having all of that profile on him, all of that attention, knowing that he could make a transfer for 100 million pounds to Man United, one of the biggest clubs in the world, and told it wouldn’t be happening and blah, blah, blah. Very difficult.”
Time running out to find Casemiro replacement
Casemiro is 33-years-old but still recognised as a key player at United.
The Brazil international could see his contract expire on June 30, 2026, making his future with United uncertain, as Ineos may consider offloading his significant wages.
Baleba is a young midfielder who could be a replacement for Casemiro, but his early-season form will be a turn-off if it continues throughout the season.
That means United are running out of time to find a replacement for Casemiro.
Unless Manuel Ugarte grows into the role between now and the end of the season, United will need to recruit wisely.
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