“A Lot Of Pressure” – Man Utd Target Makes Frank Admission Amid £100M+ Transfer Links

BACK David Tully Dec 16th 2025 Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba says he has felt the pressure since being linked with a £100m+ switch to Manchester United last summer. The Cameroon international’s form has dipped alarmingly since the start of the season, and while he insists the transfer rumours haven’t distracted him, he claims it has impacted his performances: “I don’t think it affected me negatively, but I had a lot of pressure on me. When I started this season, I wanted to show the same performances as last season. “Every day I try to work hard and get back to my level. Did I put too much pressure on myself? Yes, I think so, but I think it’s good.” “It’s good for me, because now I have to get through this slightly stressful period, get back on the horse and continue working hard.” Is Baleba a top target for Man Utd? It remains to be seen whether the 21-year-old is still among the primary candidates as the Red Devils look to reinforce their midfield. The likes of Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher and Wolves’ Joao Gomes have also been mentioned as potential January targets – all, barring perhaps Anderson, would be cheaper. Other positions could be strengthened While the lack of mobility in the middle of the park has caused plenty of issues for United this season, it is by no means the only area where head coach Ruben Amorim is lacking quality. He has also bemoaned the lack of options to complement Amad Diallo out wide. Diogo Dalot has performed well in recent outings, but the left flank isn’t his natural position, while Patrick Dorgu has failed to impress since arriving from Lecce at the start of the year. Reports suggest that scouts are keeping tabs on at least four wingbacks. Read more about the Manchester United First Team Squad for 2025/26 here David Tully David has worked as a football reporter for the last fifteen years. Having started as an intern at Snack Media, he then went on to become a freelancer, working on various different sites. At the start of 2023, he took up his current role as content writer for the Football News Network.