- Are Manchester United still interested in the Brighton midfielder?
- The Cameroonian has been subpar this season
- Could still cost United upwards of £80 million
Manchester United continue to monitor Carlos Baleba despite his drop in form this season. After a standout 2024/25 campaign, Ruben Amorim’s United pushed strongly for the Cameroonian, with Brighton & Hove Albion rejecting a bid—which included a player—last summer.
However, Baleba has not reached those same levels this season. Last year, he performed at an elite level, ranking in the top 79th percentile among midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues for one-on-one duels, successful take-ons, tackles, interceptions, and blocks.
Baleba also offered a threat going forward, placing in the 68th percentile for non-penalty goals and shots. This season, though, those levels have not only dipped, they have fallen off a cliff.
Man United Still Like Baleba
According to Shaun Connolly of Theatre of Red, Elliot Anderson stands as Jason Wilcox’s primary target, but Manchester United will face stiff competition from their Manchester rivals, who also want the midfielder.
However, Baleba still has long-term admirers at Carrington, and a growing belief suggests the Douala native could yet make the move north despite his current struggles.
As it stands, Anderson remains the priority target for United. In the modern game, teams need a strong, physically dominant midfielder who can drive the side forward while also protecting a more creative partner—in this case, Mainoo.
Anderson fits that profile perfectly, and then some. The Nottingham Forest midfielder stands as the only player in the Premier League to win 200+ duels (254) and regain possession 200+ times (259) this season.
That form has drawn widespread interest, with Manchester City currently leading the race. That leaves United needing to fall back on other prospects.
In steps Baleba. A young, dynamic midfielder who excels in off-the-ball pressure and zonal marking, Baleba’s passing has, at times, been close to elite.
In the 2024/25 season, he played the third most minutes in the Premier League for Brighton, behind only goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and Jan Paul van Hecke. But this seems to be the problem with Baleba.
Anytime anyone writes about him or reads about him, you are thrown these amazing statistics, all from the previous season. The only aspect of his game that has improved is his defensive duties, specifically possession won and duels won.
Data taken from DataMB
Overlap his season with Anderson’s, and the Cameroonian is blown out of the water.
Data taken from DataMB
The Right Price
If Manchester United’s board cannot secure Anderson’s signature, it will be a significant blow. It has been 13 seasons—barring a complete capitulation from City this year—since the Red Devils have finished above their noisy neighbours.
Secure Anderson, and not only do you get bragging rights, but you have a 23-year-old midfielder who can command your side for the next decade. Baleba is a good option to fall back on; Despite not having the best of seasons, there are still glimpses of a fantastic player.
But not for £100m, not £80m amid the form the young Cameroonian has shown over this season, the price simply has to drop. You simply cannot spend that much money on an individual with just one good season under his belt.
