Manchester United
Manchester United weigh three routes as left-back search narrows
United’s left-back search is narrowing, with Balde, Salinas and a possible delay all under consideration.
Manchester United’s search for a new left-back is moving toward a decision point. Alejandro Balde has become a more concrete option in recent days, while a surprise move for Racing Santander teenager Jorge Salinas has also been discussed.
The issue is less about targeting one individual than about the wider shape of the squad. Sergej Jakirović has actively looked to fill the space Luke Shaw leaves at full-back, and the left side remains an area United want to manage more carefully. Wayne Rooney once summed up his own view with a “schoolboy” swipe at the defender, but Shaw’s broader record over the last 12 months has generally been encouraging.
Even so, the need is clear. United want another option to share the burden with the injury prone 31-year-old, rather than leave the role to fall entirely on his shoulders. Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall has been ruled out categorically, which reduces the list of possibilities, but it does not remove the problem.
That is why the most realistic outcome may be the least satisfying one. United have built their recruitment strategy around specific priorities in recent windows, rather than broad spending. Last summer was devoted to rebuilding the frontline, and this year’s outlay has been directed at central midfield, with those moves not yet paying off. Sky Sports News reports that the Red Devils are “willing” to wait until next summer before focusing on a backline rebuild.
Such an approach would carry obvious risk. Shaw started all 38 Premier League matches last season, something described as a minor miracle. Add eight Champions League appearances and a pair of deeper domestic cup runs, and the chances of another heavy workload taking a toll become harder to ignore. Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui can cover if needed, but they look more like serviceable stop-gaps than long-term answers.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Carlos Baleba deal reshapes Manchester United’s midfield options
Baleba arrives at United, giving Carrick more midfield balance and sharpening the race for places.
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.
Carlos Baleba
Baleba Deal Shows Why Manchester United Waited
Manchester United have landed Baleba, but fitness doubts, valuation and squad balance still define the deal.
Manchester United have completed their fourth first-team signing of the summer by bringing in Carlos Baleba, following Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Karl Darlow to Old Trafford.
The midfielder has signed a contract through the summer of 2031, with the club holding an option for an additional year. He is available for selection immediately and could make his debut at home to Ipswich Town on Saturday, though that remains uncertain after an ankle injury kept him out of Brighton’s preseason and their Premier League opener against Aston Villa. His last appearance came against United on May 24, so his match sharpness is in question.
United still needed a clearer answer in midfield despite already landing Santos and Tielemans, both of whom started the opening Premier League defeat to Hull City. With Casemiro gone, the squad had lacked a true like-for-like alternative. Baleba offers something different: an athletic, disruptive presence who should restore balance to the centre of the pitch.
Depth has also improved. Michael Carrick now has five options for two central midfield places in Baleba, Santos, Tielemans, Kobbie Mainoo and Tyler Fletcher. In the second half of last season, Casemiro and Mainoo played almost every minute together, while Manuel Ugarte provided the main cover before his injury.
Reports indicate United will pay $88.7 million (£65 million) up front, with a further $6.8 million (£5 million) in conditional add-ons. That would take the full value to $95.5 million (£70 million), making Baleba the seventh-most expensive signing in club history.
That figure looks very different from the price Brighton set when United first showed interest a year ago. At the time, Baleba was coming off a breakout season and Brighton were asking for about $136.4 million (£100 million). At that level, he would have overtaken Paul Pogba as the club’s record signing rather than arriving just ahead of Benjamin Šeško.
United have also avoided matching the heavy spending seen elsewhere, and the decision not to force a move for Baleba last summer now appears well judged. With the transfer window closing on Sept. 1, the midfield rebuild is complete, but there are still other areas that need attention.
Left back remains short on cover. Luke Shaw played every Premier League match last season, which was manageable when the campaign was limited to 40 games. That burden will increase in 2026-27, and with Patrick Dorgu mainly seen as a winger, support is still required. Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall would have been an ideal fit, but Matthias Jaissle has said there is “no chance” he will be sold.
Hull City
Rooney criticises Shaw as United’s problems are laid bare by Hull
Rooney condemned Shaw’s defending as Hull exposed United’s wider tactical weaknesses in a 2-0 loss.
Wayne Rooney delivered a sharp assessment of Manchester United’s defeat to Hull City, singling out Luke Shaw for what he called “schoolboy defending” while also pointing to deeper tactical issues behind the 2-0 loss.
Rooney focused on the second goal in the 38th minute, arguing that Shaw had played Mendy onside by dropping too deep too early while United were trying to defend a wide free kick. On Match of the Day, he said: “This is schoolboy defending from Luke Shaw,” United’s all-time top scorer seethed on Match of the Day. “Man Utd had a good line, Hull would have been waiting for this all day, Luke Shaw drops in, he’s five yards behind his backline and if the ball is good enough, which it was, it’s impossible to stop.
“Hull had a gameplan, they were getting balls into the penalty box, picking up second balls and Man Utd found it very difficult.”
That was only part of the issue. Rooney also noted that Hull’s use of wingbacks caused problems in open play, with a similar approach having already troubled United against Leeds United and AC Milan. He even pointed out the irony that Ruben Amorim spent 14 months trying, unsuccessfully, to get United to play that way themselves.
“I watched the AC Milan game last week and they [Hull] played the same system,” Rooney pointed out. “They played with wingbacks and Man Utd really struggled to deal with that. Maybe Hull have seen that game last week and changed it and I think fair play if that’s the case because they looked a really good team today.”
Hull boss Sergej Jakirović said the plan was designed to exploit the space left by Shaw: “Because Manchester United is coming very high with Luke Shaw.” He later added: “When we steal the ball, we are very vertical, very quick. In those transitions, we try to switch the side because our wingbacks are completely alone, and then get numbers in the box,” Jakirović bluntly explained. “We had two very good chances, and also we didn’t allow any one-to-one 100% chances from them.”
United now face Ipswich Town, with Gary O’Neil likely to study Hull’s blueprint closely as Carrick continues searching for solutions.
