Carlos Baleba remains an interesting option for Manchester United this summer, with Michael Carrick’s verdict on his signing now made clear.
The transfer window is only a couple of weeks from opening, but it is already clear that Manchester United are in for a huge summer in the market.
United will have a substantial transfer budget to work with, considering a return to the Champions League, combined with incoming fees from sales, including Rasmus Hojlund’s.
£38m will be spent on Ederson, while another £120m or so is expected to be committed to the midfield. Among the possible options remains Carlos Baleba.
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Michael Carrick’s stance on signing Carlos Baleba this summer
Last summer, Baleba was United’s dream midfield signing under Ruben Amorim, but his quality has meant that United remain interested this summer.
He has fallen down the pecking order, but interest remains even with the managerial change.
Now, Ben Jacobs has told The United Stand how Michael Carrick feels about signing Baleba.
While initially a target from the Amorim era, Carrick has an appreciation for Baleba, which has been noted during recruitment meetings lately.
Carrick fancying a move for Baleba is interesting, but if he arrives, it would certainly go down as a club signing, given the deal was worked on last summer with personal terms thought to have been agreed and remain relevant this summer.
This is the first knowledge of Carrick directly being a fan of the Baleba signing, and the Cameroonian remains in the running to be United’s third midfield addition.
What is the MAXIMUM you would pay for Carlos Baleba this summer?
After a tough season, how much should Manchester United be risking?
Manchester United signing Baleba could explain Ederson deal
Baleba would be a risky signing after the season he had during most of 2025/26, but the reward would also be high.
Baleba showed his quality against United last weekend, which is sure to have impressed Carrick.
At 22, Baleba’s best is yet to come, and his ceiling is probably the highest of any target this summer, barring Mateus Fernandes.
But he wouldn’t be a player we can expect to come in and settle immediately, and this could explain the thought process behind United signing Ederson.
The Brazilian arrives in his prime, with Champions League experience and could therefore aid Baleba’s integration by playing a more important role while Baleba settles.
United would be signing Baleba for his potential ultimately, but he would straight away be a huge upgrade on what United currently have.
This potentially explains the Ederson deal.
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