Manchester United are shaping up well ahead of the new season, with a rejuvenated frontline completed by the signing of Benjamin Sesko over the weekend.
The Red Devils rounded off an unbeaten pre-season against Fiorentina at Old Trafford yesterday, winning the match on penalties after normal time finished 1-1.
It was a heartening display, but showcased all too clearly United’s continued fragility in midfield. This is an area which certainly needs strengthening before the end of the transfer window if Ruben Amorim is to make any real progress to bounce back from the shambles of last season.
Trouble in midfield
United need a dynamic box-to-box midfielder to take the place of Casemiro in the middle of the park, with the Brazilian clearly entering the twilight of his career at the top level.
He was once again deployed alongside Bruno Fernandes against Fiorentina and the mismatch was again obvious, with the United captain not possessing the discipline to shoulder any extra burden from Casemiro’s shortcomings.
Manuel Ugarte, signed last year with the idea of replacing Casemiro, is yet to rise to the occasion with question marks over his ability on the ball. Kobbie Mainoo is an incredibly gifted player, but not one who can bring the dynamism and physicality Amorim’s system requires.
United in contact for Baleba
United have been believed all summer to be looking for midfield reinforcements, and having rounded off their attacking recruitment with the signing of Sesko are redoubling their efforts.
To that end, the club have been looking closely at Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba, who would be the perfect solution to the current problem.
Reports broke last week that the Red Devils had held talks for the Cameroonian, who the Seagulls are believed to value at more than £100m. A report today fuelled the fire, claiming that the player himself is now agitating for a move to Old Trafford which could prove a decisive step in the transfer saga.
Romano update
Speaking on his YouTube channel yesterday, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano offered a fresh update on United’s pursuit of the 21-year-old, confirming that the Red Devils are in constant contact with Baleba’s agents.
He explained that “Manchester United are speaking again and again, even today, with the agents of Carlos Baleba” to discuss contracts and salaries, and crucially the player’s side “want to advance”. Most significantly, he believes that agreeing a contract “would not be a problem”.
United believe Baleba to be the “perfect midfielder” for them, and with the club “very happy” with their business so far this window they are ready to try for the 21-year-old.
Romano continued that if they cannot get a deal done for Baleba they will likely move on and look to a different target, but until that becomes clear they continue to speak to the player’s agents.
The journalist also reiterated Brighton’s stance, stating that the sale of Baleba is “still not something advanced or concrete or easy”. The Seagulls “don’t want to sell the player and will make Man United’s life in this deal very very difficult.”
Featured image Mike Hewitt via Getty Images
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Joe Ponting
Joe has spent more than half his life writing about football and all of it following United. As a child he told a doctor his name was ‘Paul Scholes’, but could never pick a pass like him no matter how much he tried.
