PL star’s drop in form will prompt United to try and haggle for lower price tag – or else end their pursuit entirely

Manchester United will reportedly try and pay a lower fee for Carlos Baleba if he fails to oversee an upturn in form before the end of the season.The Brighton and Hove Albion starlet has come under the spotlight since the term began, having struggled to replicate the same high-quality standard of performances he was putting in last campaign.Baleba has started in 11 of the 12 opening Premier League matches, but has been withdrawn at the interval four times already for failing to impress Fabian Hurzeler.Hurzeler: United approach impacting Baleba on the pitch(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Back in September, the Brighton boss suggested United’s summer approach for his player had played a part in Baleba seeming off the pace.“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,” he said, 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.”United’s talks with the 21-year-old came in the closing stages of the summer window, when they reached out to gauge the feasibility of a deal materialising.United will monitor Baleba’s displays before deciding on move(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Despite Baleba being keen on the switch to Old Trafford, the Reds did not go as far as making a formal offer. Brighton valued the Cameroonian in the region of £100 million+, and United had just shelled out over £200 million on forwards.Now, Ben Jacobs claims that United’s view on reviving their interest is dependent on how he fares in the coming months. Then, if Brighton maintain their stance of demanding a potential British-record fee, they would ‘likely turn their attention to alternative targets’.