Manchester United players will be more than familiar with Carlos Baleba after facing him in the Premier League.
While Ineos are wrapping up a £73m deal for Benjamin Sesko, Manchester United’s recruitment team are already eyeing up their next signing.
United have made contact for Carlos Baleba to explore a potential deal this summer, as Ineos look to deliver on Amorim’s request for an “athletic” midfielder.
Brighton insist Baleba is not for sale this summer, but it seems Ineos are ready to test the waters for the 21-year-old midfielder.
United’s hierarchy will certainly be eager to sign Baleba after seeing what he did against the Red Devils in a Premier League clash.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty ImagesCarlos Baleba ‘dominated’ Kobbie Mainoo in Premier League clash
Since Baleba signed for Brighton in 2023, the Seagulls have faced United on four different occasions and won three times.
In the final Premier League match of the 2023/24 campaign, United beat Brighton 2-0 at the Amex Stadium with goals from Rasmus Hojlund and Diogo Dalot.
As per One Football’s player ratings from that match, Kobbie Mainoo only earned a 5/10 rating despite being on the winning side.
They wrote: “It was a tough day for the youngster at the park, where he was dominated by Brighton’s Carlos Baleba.”
Erik ten Hag was forced to change Mainoo’s position against Brighton after his side struggled to cope in the first half.
Ironically, Baleba could form a world-class partnership with Mainoo if he does complete a move to Old Trafford this summer.
Carlos Baleba’s record against Man United
Baleba’s dominant performance against Mainoo at the back end of the 2023/24 season was the first of his three appearances against United.
Last season, Baleba featured in both of Brighton’s matches against United as the Seagulls completed a league double over the Red Devils.
Despite winning, Baleba will have some bad memories of his first trip to Old Trafford. United lost 3-1 to Brighton in January, with the only home goal coming from a Bruno Fernandes penalty.
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It was Baleba who conceded that penalty for Brighton after pulling down Joshua Zirkzee in the box, and he was lucky to stay on the pitch.
Prior to that, Baleba made a 17-minute cameo in the second gameweek of the season when Brighton beat Ten Hag’s United 2-1.