Advertisement
Baleba to Manchester United: Is Cameroonian star an upgrade on Casemiro or not?
20th August, 2026 07:56 AM
Brighton star Carlos Baleba has emerged as one of the Premier League midfielders attracting serious attention from Manchester United.
The Brighton midfielder has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for some time, and renewed interest has raised questions over whether he could be the long-term answer to United’s midfield problems.
The Cameroon international joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 for an initial fee of £24 million (Ksh4.20 billion). Since then, he has built a reputation as an energetic and aggressive midfielder, making 92 appearances for the club while impressing with his physical strength, endurance and ability to progress the ball.
Manchester United and Manchester City explored the possibility of signing Baleba last summer, but Brighton were understood to value him at approximately £100 million (approximately Ksh17.4 billion). The situation appears to have changed, however, with reports suggesting Brighton could now consider a deal closer to £60 million (Ksh10.49 billion) for the 22-year-old.
United’s interest comes despite the club already investing heavily in midfield during the current transfer window. They have spent around £85 million on Andrey Santos, signed from Chelsea for £48 million (approximately Ksh8.46 billion), and Youri Tielemans, who arrived from Aston Villa for £35 million (Ksh6.17 billion)
That raises an obvious question: where would Baleba fit into Michael Carrick’s plans?
United have spent considerable time searching for the right midfielder to operate alongside Bruno Fernandes. Baleba could potentially take over from Casemiro, provide cover while Manuel Ugarte recovers from injury, or compete for a place with Santos, Tielemans, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount.
A defensive-minded midfielder
Baleba’s natural position is in defensive midfield, where his greatest strengths come from his reading of the game rather than simply relying on physical challenges.
He is capable of recognising danger early, protecting the defence, following opposing runners and closing spaces in the middle of the pitch. His positional discipline allows him to disrupt attacks without constantly abandoning his position.
In many respects, his profile resembles that of Casemiro. However, Baleba does not possess the Brazilian’s ability to arrive late in the penalty area or contribute regularly from distance.
What Baleba brings
The Cameroon midfielder’s biggest asset is his combination of athleticism, defensive work and ball-carrying ability.
The modern Premier League places enormous physical demands on central midfielders, and Baleba has the pace and stamina required to cope. During the 2024-25 campaign, he was one of only two central midfielders recorded by Gradient Sports as reaching speeds above 34 kilometres per hour.
His defensive numbers were also impressive. His combined total of tackles and interceptions reached 92 that season, putting him joint-sixth among Premier League central midfielders.
Baleba’s ability to quickly close down opponents and win possession makes him particularly effective in the central areas of the pitch. Once he recovers the ball, he can also drive forward with it, covering considerable ground and using his strength and balance to escape pressure.
Where he needs improvement
Baleba’s most recent season was considerably less impressive than the campaign before it.
The midfielder struggled for consistency during 2025-26, particularly while speculation over his future continued. He was substituted at half-time on several occasions and also dealt with injury problems.
His fitness is another immediate concern after an ankle ligament injury suffered this summer. Before he can establish himself at a new club, he will need to regain full fitness and rediscover his confidence.
Passing remains another area where Baleba has room for development. While he is capable of keeping possession and producing creative passes, his distribution can be erratic. At times he can overhit a long ball, misplace a short pass or fail to execute a switch accurately, potentially leaving teammates exposed.
His contribution in front of goal is also limited, while crossing is not among his strongest qualities. Neither weakness should be considered a major issue given his primary defensive responsibilities.
Could he work at Manchester United?
On paper, Baleba could be an excellent partner for Tielemans in the centre of Carrick’s 4-2-3-1 system.
Tielemans would provide composure and technical quality, while Baleba could supply the athleticism, defensive strength and mobility needed alongside him.
United’s acquisition of Santos addressed part of the problem, but there remains a case for adding another physically dominant midfielder. Baleba could fill that role particularly well.
His familiarity with the Premier League would also reduce the adaptation period compared with a player arriving from another league. More importantly, United have reportedly been monitoring him for more than a year.
If Brighton are genuinely prepared to lower their asking price, Baleba could therefore represent a compelling option for United as they attempt to build a more balanced and physically capable midfield.
