Carlos Baleba’s move from Brighton & Hove Albion has brought Manchester United’s midfield rebuild to a close, at least on paper. The 22-year-old was already a familiar target to supporters after United’s interest in him was heavily reported last year, but Brighton’s valuation dropped sharply after a difficult 2025-26 campaign. What once looked like a potential $136.4 million (£100 million) move has ended at $88.7 million (£65 million).

There were reasons for the downturn. Baleba’s year was affected by transfer noise and what Cameroon manager David Pagou described as “family problems”. United will be hoping the midfielder who impressed so strongly in the Premier League two seasons ago returns, because Michael Carrick still wanted more steel in the centre of the pitch despite the additions already made this summer. Their season opener underlined that point, with United being ”mauled by the Tigers” at Hull City.

One clear beneficiary is Youri Tielemans, whose $47.7 million release clause was triggered by United earlier in the window. His passing range, composure and creativity should help the team’s progression and eventually ease Bruno Fernandes’ burden. Yet Tielemans also has obvious limitations athletically, and Baleba appears tailored to cover that gap. The Cameroonian is effective in transition, quick across the ground and strong without the ball. Opta recorded him at 34.5 km/h in 2024-25, the 10th highest among nominal defensive and central midfielders.

Kobbie Mainoo may feel the squeeze in terms of competition, but he is still expected to play a major role. After a delayed start to the campaign, he is working back into rhythm following a summer in which he did not feature in preseason and played only 19 minutes at Hull. Carrick values him highly, though Baleba could prove an ideal partner by masking some of Mainoo’s defensive inexperience.

Andrey Santos is another midfielder whose role may be affected. Baleba shares several traits with him, though Santos brings greater assurance in build-up play. Still, the recruitment leaves Carrick with far more solutions, and more pressure to use them well. United are back in the Champions League, and their midfield now looks better equipped for the demands ahead.

Manchester United have removed the uncertainty around Marcus Rashford’s status by formally assigning him the club’s vacant No. 9 shirt. The decision strongly suggests the forward remains part of the plans at Old Trafford, with the number now confirmed for the season after Rasmus Højlund’s move to Napoli opened it up.

Rashford had already been using the No. 9 in preseason, but the club had not yet made the allocation official. He was also listed without a shirt number in the matchday programme for Saturday’s meeting with Hull City, adding to the speculation before the confirmation arrived.

The reshuffle extends beyond Rashford. Senne Lammens has taken the No. 1 shirt, which was left available by Altay Bayındır’s loan to Celta Vigo this summer. Lammens had previously worn No. 31, but that number has now gone to 19-year-old attacking midfielder Shea Lacey, who moves up from 46.

Several of United’s new arrivals now also have their numbers in place. Karl Darlow will wear 12, Andrey Santos has been given 17, Youri Tielemans takes 18 and Tynan Thompson has been allocated 27.

At the other end of the squad list, 15-year-old JJ Gabriel has been handed No. 77. He already made a preseason appearance that made him the youngest player to ever represent United, although that match does not count as the official record. If Gabriel features before Oct. 25, he will become the club’s youngest player on record.

A few numbers remain unassigned, with one expected to go to midfielder Carlos Baleba once his move from Brighton & Hove Albion is completed. His preferred 17 has already been taken, though he has recently worn 20 and 24.

United’s squad list now looks more settled, with the No. 9 confirmation the clearest sign yet of Rashford’s place in the new campaign.

Manchester United were forced to reshuffle before Saturday’s Premier League opener against Hull City after Amad Diallo was not named in the matchday squad.

The winger was missing when the team arrived, and his absence opened the door for Bryan Mbeumo to come in alongside Matheus Cunha and Patrick Dorgu in the forward line. Marcus Rashford, Benjamin Šeško and Joshua Zirkzee were all named among the substitutes.

United’s starting XI was listed as: Lammens; Mazraoui, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Santos, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Dorgu; Cunha.

The bench read: Darlow, Dalot, Martínez, Yoro, Mainoo, Lacey, Rashford, Šeško, Zirkzee.

Before the match, Carrick’s squad update on Friday did not include any reference to a problem for Amad. That changed on Saturday, when Rob Dawson reported that the player was sidelined because of injury. No further details have been made available.

Amad is one of four players unavailable for the fixture. Veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton and center back Matthijs de Ligt were also ruled out, while Mason Mount failed a late fitness test after suffering a knock in preseason.

Carrick had previously made clear that Mount still had a chance of being involved, describing his status as “touch and go,” but the midfielder was ultimately not considered fit enough to take part. With Amad out and Mount also missing, United’s attacking options were altered again on the opening day.