Manchester United’s interest in the 22-year-old Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba has cooled, according to TEAMtalk, with the change closely tied to Ruben Amorim’s departure. Carlos Baleba to Manchester United once looked like a priority because INEOS viewed the Cameroon international as an ideal match for Amorim’s demands, particularly the intensity and defensive work expected from his midfield.
TEAMtalk reports that United had tracked Baleba across transfer windows and treated him as Amorim’s undisputed top midfield target. That enthusiasm has faded since Michael Carrick took charge around the turn of the year, although the midfielder remains on the recruitment shortlist. The latest reporting points to interest at this stage rather than an imminent pursuit, even as United assess a midfield addition after signing Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.
United have plenty to think about. Baleba made 31 Premier League appearances in 2025/26, starting 23, yet produced zero goals and zero assists. Opta’s career record lists 1,665 league minutes. His campaign represented a statistical drop from 2024/25, when he scored three Premier League goals and supplied one assist.
Carlos Baleba to Manchester United looks less convincing now
My view is straightforward: United should leave this deal alone. Baleba remains a compelling ball-winner, but Carrick needs a midfielder who can sit deep, control possession and break lines with his passing. That profile matters more than adding a player who can cover ground, win duels and disrupt opponents.
There’s another problem. Paying £70m-£80m for a player after a silent season would carry risk, especially with Santos and Tielemans already joining the midfield group. United would spend heavily on qualities they partly possess while still lacking the technical controller needed to settle build-up play.
Carlos Baleba to Manchester United should stay on the shortlist, not the agenda
Baleba’s Cameroon credentials add weight to his reputation; he started all five AFCON matches before Cameroon exited against Morocco. Yet international involvement doesn’t erase the concerns created by his Brighton season.
Newcastle’s interest makes the situation trickier, with the Magpies seeking midfield reinforcements after Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali left. Brighton have shown that they won’t sell cheaply, while Paul Barber previously stated there was no desire to move Baleba on.
Read: £6m – 19-year-old Manchester United star could be heading for West Ham
For United, Carlos Baleba to Manchester United would look like an expensive bet rather than a pressing need. Let Newcastle take the risk, and use the remaining budget on a deep-lying passer who can improve United’s circulation immediately.
