Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba travels to Manchester United this weekend for the first time since the summer speculation linking him with a move to Old Trafford
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Carlos Baleba’s form has been impacted by speculation linking him with Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)
Carlos Baleba will get the chance to show Manchester United and Ruben Amorim exactly why they should spend millions to sign him this weekend when Brighton & Hove Albion visit Old Trafford.
The 21-year-old was linked with a move to United in the summer after being identified as the ideal midfielder candidate. Since joining Brighton from Lille, Baleba has become one of the most impressive defensive midfielders in Europe.
After the signings of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, United were forced to cool their interest in the Cameroon international due to the £100million price tag asked for. Since then, talk has increased over Baleba’s situation at the AMEX Stadium, with reports suggesting he has become unsettled.
Fabian Hurzeler has taken Baleba off in three separate Premier League games, fueling speculation over his future. It’s understood that United are keeping a close eye on the situation, with a new midfielder the obvious next priority for Amorim when the window reopens.
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On Saturday, Brighton and Baleba travel to Manchester looking to build on their good form. Since losing narrowly to Bournemouth in September, Hurzeler’s men have gone five games unbeaten, recording impressive victories over Chelsea and Newcastle.
Should Baleba retain his spot in the Brighton midfield, he will have the opportunity to show Amorim and the hierarchy exactly why he should be their subsequent big signing.
All eyes will be on United after recording back-to-back league wins under Amorim for the first time since his appointment. Last week’s win over Liverpool followed the victory over Sunderland before the international break, significantly easing the pressure on the United boss.
After replacing Moises Caicedo at Brighton, Baleba is now facing a period of uncertainty. However, concerns over his form since the news of United’s interest have resulted in Hurzeler laying down the law with the midfielder.
“I think we’re getting to a time now where it’s up to him, where he has to take responsibility as well,” the Brighton boss said after the win over Newcastle.
“He can’t change the noise around him, he’s a player for Brighton. No matter what the rumours are, he will be a player for Brighton until [at least] the end of the season. But now he has to take responsibility.
“Now he has to make a step up and show personality, that’s his next step in his personal development for sure. Like I said in the last weeks, there are waves in development, but you can only get out of it if you take ownership and if you take the responsibility, there are some moments where nobody can help you.
“You have to be your own support, your own help. He has the best environment here he can get, he has great team-mates who are there for him and support him.
“But now it’s also up to the player that he steps up, that he shows personality and takes ownership of his development. That’s what I demand from him in the future.”
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