Man Utd 'fully aware' of Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton prices and Ineos prepared to move

Manchester United are keeping a close eye on multiple targets ahead of a busy 2026, with Ruben Amorim expected to strengthen his midfield.

It was another summer that Manchester United overlooked issues in midfield by not strengthening the department, despite losing Christian Eriksen on a free at the end of last season.

Eriksen’s legs had gone, and Amorim was in the process of phasing him out of the team, but there would have been demand from United fans to sign a new midfielder if he remained at the club for another season.

Amorim has persisted with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes as a double pivot in his 3-4-2-1 system, although with both players in their 30s, United must consider their long-term replacements.

It doesn’t help that Kobbie Mainoo has struggled to get into the team, while the jury is still out on Manuel Ugarte following his 2024 transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.

Man Utd have Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton plan

United have been linked with an array of midfield options since the summer transfer window closed.

This has led to claims from Fabrizio Romano that United could sign a midfielder in January, which would be an attempt to make up for not signing one in the offseason. A decision that has left Amorim short in an important department of the team.

However, United remain firmly on the trail of Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton. Still, the club see them as summer 2026 options, with both their respective clubs confirming that neither will be sold in January.

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United are in the market for a holding midfielder, but depending on exits, they could sign more than one. They want one now to be able to play the double-pivot role in the Amorim system, but with Casemiro set to leave, and the futures of Mainoo and Fernandes far from certain – there could be more than one targeted.

United sources confirm that a January signing could be made, but that would not mean another could not follow in the summer.

Our transfer insider Graeme Bailey revealed: “It could be the case that we see a midfield signing in January, maybe even a loan before we see a more permanent fixture in the summer.”

However, United, as they demonstrated in the summer with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko, can still attract top talent and outdo rival clubs along the way. To that end, you really can’t rule out the likes of Baleba, Wharton and others.

“And United are fully aware of the prices we are talking about, they know Baleba, Wharton and the like are not £50 or £60million players, they realise they are twice that. Ineos are backing United and know the sort of finances need to compete at the top.”

United made attempts to sign Baleba from Brighton in the summer, when it was first felt that the Cameroon international would be an upgrade for the team’s midfield.

Baleba remains a United target for 2026 even though the Brighton boss admits he has struggled amid links to the club.

Meanwhile, United are expecting fierce competition for Wharton, who is continuing to impress in a strong Crystal Palace side.

Tony Bloom explains Man Utd’s failed pursuit for Carlos Baleba

Brighton chairman Tony Bloom has revealed how they knocked back United’s interest in Baleba during the summer.

Bloom claims he is delighted that the talented midfielder has remained at the club for the season.

Speaking to The Argus, Bloom said: “I don’t think Baleba was a saga.

“There was interest from Manchester United, and we said that he wasn’t available this summer and they went away.

“So we’ve had many bigger sagas in the past.

“But Carlos Baleba, his improvement has been immense.

“Massively important player to this football club, and just delighted that he’s with us for this season.”

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