Manchester United are finally wrapping up their midfield refresh.
After Casemiro departed and Manuel Ugarte suffered a serious knee injury at the World Cup, the middle of the park was always going to be the priority. Andrey Santos joined from Chelsea. Youri Tielemans followed suit, arriving from Aston Villa.
In the weeks following, however, things went quiet on the United transfer front. That is, of course, until Wednesday’s bombshell that the Manchester side were closing in on the signing of Carlos Baleba. Having been quoted a nine-figure sum by Brighton last year, United managed to convince the Seagulls to sell the Cameroon international for half the price 12 months on.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Alongside Kobbie Mainoo, Santos and Tielemans, United will have a functional midfield that’ll provide cover for the defence and forward thrust from deep. Baleba offers both in Michael Carrick’s 4-2-3-1 setup.
The 2024/25 performances that offer hope
Admittedly, last season was one to forget for Baleba. Impacted by speculation surrounding an Old Trafford switch, the 22-year-old’s performance levels dipped considerably. While Baleba made 31 league appearances, just 23 were from the outset in 2025/26. That wasn’t the player’s fault. He played through a niggling injury. He represented Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations around Christmas
However, despite a sub-par campaign, there is a good reason why United remain hellbent on signing Baleba. The 2025/26 showings were an exception to the rule. Indeed, his 2024/25 outings were more in keeping with Baleba’s ability.
The former Lille man shone the previous campaign, as evidenced by the relevant midfield metrics being significantly higher than last season, bar interceptions per 90 (1.6). Even so, Baleba was a handy ball winner and distributor, seeking to get in possession where possible before picking out a teammate with ease.
Whether this was to keep play ticking over or seeking to push Brighton forward, Baleba was an effective distributor and progressor. It’s why it’s fairer to compare Baleba’s 2024/25 showings with his potential new teammates and their respective 2025/26 performances.
How does he compare to United’s current midfielders?
Even so, Baleba’s 2024/25 outings don’t quite live up to his expected new teammates. In terms of passes per 90 (43.8), it’s the lowest of the four midfielders. Santos (57.2) tops this metric. An 88% pass accuracy was third. 10 forward passes per 90 also ranks bottom. Tielemans (17) is first for this one.
Yes, Baleba can perform these duties effectively, but it’s an area to his game that does need refinement. Working under Carrick, a ball-playing midfielder in his playing days, will aid this development.
Even in terms of winning possession, he struggled to top the relevant defensive midfielder metrics. Only Mainoo (2) made fewer tackles per 90 last season than Baleba (2.6) in 2024/25. Granted, the latter contested more ground duels per 90 (9.9). In terms of success rate (54.6%), it was Santos (67.8%) who emerged victorious.
Baleba boasts the superior interceptions per 90 haul in 2024/25 (1.6) and his reading of the game is one of his core qualities. 6.7 ball recoveries was also top. However, for the asking price Brighton demanded, United were right to turn their nose up at the fee. The Seagulls expected Baleba to build upon his superb midfield showings. Ultimately, the player struggled to do so.
And at half the price, United are wise to return to the south coast for Baleba. 2025/26 was one to forget for the midfielder, whose head had been turned by the Manchester giants 12 months earlier. Does that make Baleba a bad player? Absolutely not.
The Baleba pros outweigh the cons
He brings a little bit of everything to his game. He’s not pigeon-holed into one specific role. To some midfielders, this could be a curse. For United, this versatility may prove a blessing. Baleba could, in theory, operate alongside any of the current crop of central midfielders on the club’s books. This gives Carrick in-game tactical flexibility that would benefit United in the coming campaign.
Despite his sub-par campaign, Baleba continued to prove that he’s incredibly press-resistant. Opponents struggle to rob the youngster of the ball. This was a quality to his game that actually improved upon the previous campaign. Baleba was dispossessed 1.4 times per 90 in the 2024/25 Premier League season. This dropped to one per 90 in 2025/26.
He’s a workhorse midfielder that’ll eat up ground for fun, allowing the likes of Tielemans and Mainoo to work their magic on the ball. At his age, there is more to come with the right coaching. Baleba’s a player for the here and now, and one that will develop in time. Rediscover the 2024/25 form, and he’ll prove a very handy squad addition.