On August 20, local time, The Athletic suggested that 22-year-old Baleyba, with his excellent physical conditioning, aggressive defending, strong tackling ability, as well as his capacity for progression and long passes, has the potential to become Casemiro's successor. After joining, he could partner with Tielemans, Mainoo, or Santos, enhancing midfield coverage and defensive solidity. However, he has just suffered an ankle ligament injury and needs to adapt to Carrick's system, which emphasizes possession and quick passing, so he might not be an immediate plug-and-play solution in the short term.

Below is TA's analysis

Manchester United's midfield reconstruction has made positive progress again. Previously, The Athletic revealed that Manchester United was close to reaching an agreement with Baleyba.

Negotiations between the two parties are currently ongoing regarding the transfer fee. Manchester United has submitted an offer of approximately £60 million (70 million euros, 81 million US dollars) in fixed transfer fees, plus a £5 million add-on clause.

Manchester United's interest in Baleyba has a long history. In August 2025, the club explored the possibility of signing the Cameroon international, but at the time, the transfer cost was deemed too high, and no action was ultimately taken. Baleyba experienced an inconsistent season in 2025-26. At the beginning of the season, Fabbian Hürzeler substituted him in 8 consecutive matches, and Hürzeler also hinted that transfer rumors had affected Baleyba's performance.

However, Baleyba's performance improved in the second half of the season. After helping Cameroon reach the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, he regained his vitality. In April 2026, The Athletic reported that Manchester United still maintained interest in the midfielder.

So, if Manchester United can eventually reach an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion on the transfer fee for the 22-year-old player, what can Baleyba bring to a new Manchester United under Carrick?

Good news: Baleyba is a smart midfield "workhorse"

Three years ago, after Caicedo transferred to Chelsea for £115 million, Brighton & Hove Albion chose Baleyba to take on the role of the central midfield shield. Although Baleyba experienced some difficulties last season, he remains one of the best players outside the Premier League's traditional "Big Six."

He is a physically strong, combative midfielder who can also help his teammates play better, which is also reflected in the player data analysis below.

Baleyba's efficiency, aggression, and decisiveness in defense make him very suitable to be Manchester United's Casemiro's successor. The midfielder is a very smart and proactive defender, capable of stifling opponents before they can launch an attack through early pressing or interceptions.

Sometimes, this characteristic appears in a very advanced position. Baleyba operates near the opponent's penalty area, looking for opportunities to snatch any second balls that appear. Brighton & Hove Albion's last game of the 2025-26 season happened to be against Manchester United, when Kobbie Mainoo cleared Yankuba Minteh's cross, Baleyba rushed forward to win the loose ball immediately.

One very encouraging aspect of Baleyba's defensive play is the consistency and control he exhibits when making standing tackles and slides. He is able to combine timing with technique to maximize the team's chances of regaining possession.

In the scenario below, Baleyba used his speed to get to the ball before Patrick Dorgu, but his tackle was very clean and without a foul, thus ensuring Brighton & Hove Albion could maintain control of the situation.

Baleyba is not a tall defensive midfielder; he is approximately 178 cm (5 feet 10 inches) tall, but he possesses excellent physical balance and strong body control when protecting the ball. Sometimes, he even uses some improvised moves to make tackles, such as quickly adjusting his footwork to prevent Fulham from launching a counterattack. Sometimes, he also uses shoulder-to-shoulder challenges to dispossess opponents.

Baleyba's acceleration and aggression also come into play closer to his own goal. He often actively fills gaps in the defense to prevent opponents from easily crossing or playing cutbacks into the penalty area, and he is also very intelligent in restricting opponents from making easy passes through the middle.

Combined with his ability to drive the ball through midfield, and his seemingly understated yet capable passing range – especially his long-passing ability – we can see a player who can immediately enhance Manchester United's ability to protect the central midfield, while also having the potential to help the team progress possession through the middle.

Simply put: Baleyba is tough, talented, and perfectly suited to be a reliable midfield "workhorse" in Carrick's team.

The not-so-good news: it might take him some time to get up to speed

Baleyba suffered an ankle ligament injury during pre-season training. Although the midfielder hopes to return within the next few weeks, due to the nature of this injury, he will need some time to recover to true match fitness.

Once Baleyba regains his normal match rhythm, another question will arise: under Carrick's management, Manchester United increasingly wants to control possession for longer periods, so how exactly should Baleyba integrate into such a team?

Baleyba has a strong desire to tackle and win back possession, so he can perform well in a more chaotic and physical environment. But upon arriving at Manchester United, he may need some time to adapt to the new tactical requirements.

Judging from Manchester United's pre-season performance, Carrick's team aims to move the ball quickly through the midfield with quick one-touch passes. Baleyba is left-footed, so theoretically, he has the ability to partner well with Bruno Fernandes or Tielemans. However, he may initially encounter some teething problems as he adapts to his new responsibilities during the team's possession phases.

Baleyba's biggest appeal to Manchester United lies in his tactical adaptability

If Baleyba joins Manchester United, he is most likely to play in the right central midfield position in Carrick's 4-2-3-1 formation. His midfield abilities are highly adaptable, so he should be able to partner well with Tielemans.

Baleyba can provide a certain defensive assurance to the Belgian international, and playing alongside Tielemans might further enhance Baleyba's long-passing ability, giving him another important weapon to enrich Manchester United's attacking options. After all, one of Manchester United's most threatening attacking methods is quick counter-attacks.

If Carrick chooses to partner Baleyba with Mainoo, then Baleyba can take on the role of a midfield shield with wide coverage, active running, and excellent physical combativeness, protecting the academy-trained midfielder and allowing Mainoo to focus more on progressing possession.

And if Baleyba partners with Andre Santos, this might be the most interesting tactical combination. Santos can play as a defensive midfielder, giving Baleyba greater freedom to operate as a box-to-box midfielder covering the entire midfield.

All three pairing methods can help Manchester United improve defensive discipline.

And this is precisely where Baleyba is truly attractive to Manchester United: he possesses sufficiently excellent athleticism and defensive awareness, with the potential to become a core member of the team Carrick hopes to build.

Today, many top European teams want to have a physically strong player in midfield who can prevent opponents from launching counter-attacks, and Baleyba has enough intensity, judgment, and ability to hold his own against the very best opponents.

He is not the kind of player who can be an immediate "plug-and-play" upon joining Manchester United, but his arrival can give Manchester United more confidence to cope with the high-intensity physical confrontations and match tests they will face in the 2026-27 season.

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