Fabian Hürzeler has suggested the interest Manchester United displayed in Carlos Baleba over the summer is now having an impact on his performances.
The young Brighton and Hove Albion starlet has endured a troubled start to 2025/2026 following a season in which he was one of Hürzeler’s most trusted lieutenants week in and week out.
Baleba started the opening three Premier League fixtures of the term before being dropped for a clash away to Bournemouth on September 13. He entered the fray in the closing stages, making a 24-minute cameo as the Seagulls slumped to a 2-1 defeat at the Vitality Stadium.
Hürzeler expresses concerns over Baleba’s form
He was then trusted to return to the starting XI for the subsequent fixture against Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend, but was withdrawn at the interval for Diego Gomez.
In the 45 minutes the Cameroonian played vs Spurs, he lost possession eight times, won only two of his five ground duels attempted and two of his four aerial duels attempted (Sofascore).
Post-match, Hürzeler told reporters that he believes that the approach United made for Baleba has thrown the 21-year-old off his game.
“For sure, when a young boy reads there is interest from Manchester United with a big, big offer, it might affect him deep, deep down,” said the head coach, via Beanyman Sports.
“That’s also part of the development to understand that when you play well, there comes a big offer, there comes a big club that wants to have him.”
“I can’t give you a clear answer if it’s really affected him or not. But for sure, he’s a young boy and we need to understand he’s not a machine that if you click on then he always runs, and off, then he stops.
“We need to understand his feelings, his emotions, where he comes from, and that’s our responsibility,” Hürzeler concluded.
Why Baleba to United didn’t materialise
Baleba was said to be keen on the move to Old Trafford back in August, although he didn’t go as far as forcing any potential transfer and respected Brighton’s decision to keep hold of him for another year, having only signed him from Lille in 2023.
United ultimately opted against making a formal bid, too, as it’s thought it would’ve cost around £115 million to prise the coveted talent from the Amex.
