Carlos Baleba’s arrival has already been framed as an important piece of Manchester United’s midfield rebuild, but his shirt choice has added another layer of interest. The 22-year-old joins with a $95.5 million (£70 million) fee attached and is expected to settle quickly after a summer that has also brought Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos into the midfield picture.

Baleba has been given the No. 20 shirt, a number that initially appears unremarkable but has built up considerable meaning across United history. Diogo Dalot was the most recent player to wear it, having made the same switch that Gary Neville made in 1996 when he had established himself as Sir Alex Ferguson’s first-choice right back and moved to No. 2.

The number became more notable after Neville gave it up and it was passed to Ole Gunnar Solskjær, the Norwegian striker who became known as the ‘baby faced assassin.’ Solskjær wore No. 20 when he scored the stoppage-time winner in the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich, and he kept the shirt throughout a United career that brought 12 major trophies, including six Premire League titles.

Robin van Persie also made No. 20 part of United history. He wore it during the 2012–13 campaign, when he won the Premier League title and Golden Boot after scoring 30 goals in his debut season following his move from current Premier League champions Arsenal.

Baleba is not being asked to match that sort of output. His value lies elsewhere. The expectation is that he will add athleticism, energy and dynamism to a midfield that has lacked those qualities for some time. In turn, that should help United press more effectively, win possession more often and transition forward with greater purpose.

The 53rd PFA Awards took place on Tuesday night at the Manchester Opera House, with the game’s leading players across England recognised for their 2025-26 seasons. The ceremony covered the Premier League, the EFL Championship, League One and Two, the Women’s Super League and the Women’s Super League 2.

Bruno Fernandes claimed the men’s Player of the Year award after a remarkable campaign for Manchester United. The midfielder set a Premier League record with 21 assists in a single season, and he became the first United player since Wayne Rooney in 2010 to win the prize.

In the women’s category, Manchester City forward Khadija “Bunny” Shaw was voted Player of the Year for a second time. Shaw scored 21 goals in 22 matches last season and played a key role as City won the title. Her recognition completed a double after she was also named women’s Player of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association in May.

Fernandes also completed a double of his own after being selected as men’s Player of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association in May.

City youngster Nico O’Reilly, 21, received the men’s Young Player of the Year award, while Arsenal forward Olivia Smith, 22, won the women’s Young Player of the Year honour for the second straight season.

Elsewhere, former Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, now with Everton, was named Championship Player of the Year. Birmingham City forward Lily Crosthwaite collected the WSL2 Player of the Year award, while former Leyton Orient forward Dom Ballard, now at Championship side Bristol City, was named League One Player of the Year.

The event also included the Premier League, WSL, Championship, League One and WSL2 Teams of the Year, with the full line-ups listed separately.

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.