Carlos Baleba joined Manchester United from Brighton in August for $88.7m (£65m), with another $6.8m (£5m) potentially due in bonuses. Although the Cameroon international has not yet made his competitive debut for the club, his value may already feel even greater. Many supporters hope he can resolve United’s early-season difficulties almost single-handedly, placing considerable expectations on his shoulders.
Baleba was unavailable with an ankle problem while Michael Carrick’s team struggled in matches against Everton, Manchester City and Fulham. The 22-year-old completed his transfer only days after the opening-weekend loss to Hull City, giving him an early indication of the problems facing his new teammates. Since then, the challenge awaiting him has become even more demanding.
United resume their campaign against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, when Baleba may be involved. Supporters will be eager to discover how much difference he can make. His presence could help the midfield finally function as intended, although introducing another player into the system may also create fresh complications.
Why has United’s midfield struggled?
United invested close to $200m (£150m) in rebuilding their midfield during the summer window. Andrey Santos arrived from Chelsea, followed by Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, before Baleba’s move from Brighton completed a much-needed overhaul.
Carrick has selected Kobbie Mainoo alongside Tielemans in a two-player midfield base for United’s past four Premier League games, producing inconsistent results. Mainoo has performed impressively and may have given Thomas Tuchel reason to reconsider leaving him out of England’s World Cup plans. Tielemans, however, has been more difficult to assess.
The Belgian’s statistics are encouraging. Only Noussair Mazraoui and Mainoo complete more accurate passes per 90 minutes for United this season, while Tielemans covers more ground per 90 than any of his teammates. Despite those figures, the team remains worryingly vulnerable through central areas.
The problem could stem from Bruno Fernandes’s advanced positioning and the freedom he receives as a No 10, Tielemans’s limitations during defensive transitions, or a combination of several factors. Carrick has yet to establish the required balance, as shown by United’s chaotic opening five league fixtures, which brought only one victory and eight goals conceded.
Where could Baleba fit into the team?
United likely recruited Baleba to add energy and mobility to the middle of the pitch. He is admired for his defensive qualities, physical power and ability to keep possession when pressed. “You need the courage to come out with the ball in difficult and risky areas,” Baleba said in a Sky Sports interview.
That mentality should give United supporters cause for optimism. The club has spent years searching for a genuine midfielder capable of influencing both attack and defence, with the issue dating back to the closing period of Alex Ferguson’s tenure. Paul Pogba was expected to fill that role, but several managers struggled to use him effectively or fully appreciate his attacking strengths.
Carrick must now determine how Baleba fits into his redesigned midfield. Mainoo is playing some of the finest football of his career, while Santos and Tielemans presumably arrived expecting important roles. Removing Tielemans, in particular, might reduce United’s quality and composure in possession.
During the previous season, Baleba placed seventh among Brighton players for accurate passes per 90 minutes and 16th for major chances created. Fitness concerns and inconsistent form contributed to those numbers, but they also underline that he is not primarily a creative midfielder.
When might Baleba make his first appearance?
Baleba entered a matchday squad for the first time at Fulham on 20 September, shortly before the international break. He then gained his first minutes in a private friendly last week. A place on the bench against Spurs this weekend appears the most realistic option because he is still working toward full match fitness.
Tottenham have experienced midfield problems of their own this season. Roberto De Zerbi is trying to address challenges similar to those confronting Carrick, potentially giving United an opportunity to dominate central areas, particularly with Saturday’s fixture taking place at Old Trafford.
However, United could pay a heavy price if Carrick fails to find the correct midfield balance or brings Baleba into the starting team too soon. The manager is under growing pressure to demonstrate that he can guide the side forward. Another disappointing performance could place his position in serious danger.
Supporters expecting Baleba to repair all of United’s weaknesses by himself may be left frustrated. One player can only achieve so much while Carrick deals with the consequences of years of ineffective recruitment and poor leadership at board level. Even so, United may soon have the opportunity to see what their substantial investment can deliver.
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