Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has encouraged the club to reignite their move for Carlos Baleba after missing out on the midfielder in the summertime.
The Red Devils prioritised overhauling their misfiring attack ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko all signing on the dotted line for a combined fee of around £200million.
Old Trafford bosses had also been keen to herald a combative midfielder to suit Ruben Amorim’s much-maligned 3-4-3 system, identifying Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Brighton’s Baleba as potential targets.
The Seagulls have since confirmed United’s interest in signing Baleba on the back of an exceptional season for the 22-year-old Cameroon international last term on the Amex Stadium.
But in response to Brighton CEO Tony Bloom, United simply ‘went away’ when informed that Baleba wouldn’t be sold unless an astronomical fee was offered for the previous Lille man.
Despite Amorim’s departure as head coach, United remain within the hunt for a midfielder of Baleba’s profile – and the likes of Joao Gomes and Ruben Neves have also been linked throughout the January transfer window.
‘It really is essential that Manchester United strengthen in that area,’ Schmeichel told Sky Bet of United’s seek for reinforcements in central midfield.
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‘What we saw on Saturday was really encouraging. Casemiro was higher than he’s been in an extended time, since the responsibility in that a part of the pitch was shared between him and Kobbie Mainoo.
‘The understanding between them was significantly better – and it helps that they’re each excellent footballers. It worked brilliantly for the team, and it was great to see.
‘But it’s still an area you have to improve. Because if we do get into the Champions League, you’re adding not less than one other ten games to the schedule. Which means you wish more players – and you wish more quality players.’
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Schmeichel fears the Red Devils could have missed a ‘real opportunity’ to prise the ‘implausible’ Baleba away from Brighton last summer.
‘Names are being mentioned now. I like Carlos Baleba,’ the legendary ex-United and Denmark goalkeeper added.
‘I thought he might are available in the summer and I felt there was an actual opportunity for that. He’s a implausible player.
‘But in the event you can usher in anyone with the standard of those players, that’s a positive step for Manchester United. And I hope that’s exactly what they’re taking a look at.’
Speaking ahead of Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign, Baleba admitted speculation linking him with a big-money move could have resulted in him putting ‘an excessive amount of pressure’ on himself.
‘I don’t think it affected me. But I had lots of pressure on me,’ he said.
‘Once I began the season, I desired to [have] the identical performances as last season. Every single day I attempt to work hard and to get [back] to my level.
‘Did I put an excessive amount of pressure on myself? Yes, I feel so, but I feel that’s good.’
Kobbie Mainoo’s future was thrown into serious doubt under Amorim, with rumours swirling that the England midfielder, a product of United’s academy, might be on his way out of the Theatre of Dreams this winter.
But Amorim’s dismissal and the return of Michael Carrick as interim head coach appears to have handed Mainoo a lifeline – and the 20-year-old has began United’s last two matches against Brighton and Manchester City.
Mainoo’s resurgence is unlikely to affect United’s plans to strengthen at the bottom of the midfield, though, with Carrick viewing the teenager as ‘more of an attacker’.
‘I feel he’s more of an attacker. I don’t see him as a holding midfielder,’ Carrick said on an episode of Rio Meets last summer.
‘He’s probably that line above with that little bit more freedom. I feel there are alternative ways of defending.
You may defend on that higher line somewhat bit but defending right deep around your centre back is a little bit of a unique thing.
‘I’ve seen him playing somewhat bit higher with that freedom and create and take the ball. I feel he’s got a large future.
‘I actually like him, I feel he just needs a little bit of patience and that little little bit of break again, which I’m sure he’ll get.’
Carrick added: ‘He’s got it and he’s shown that.
‘It’s a breath of fresh air the way in which he takes the ball and plays forward and commits people, can play, can dribble, can pass.
‘That doesn’t leave you and I feel it’s just waves that may come and go together with time. I’ve seen it so again and again.’
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