Man United Transfer Targets: Five Alternatives to Carlos Baleba

Man United’s pursuit of Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba is over, forcing the club to explore other options. Here are five alternatives Ruben Amorim's side should consider.

Per The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Ruben Amorim’s side have ended their interest in Brighton midfielder Baleba. He reports that the £100 million+ asking price was too dear for United, and his current club have no intention to sell one of the best midfield prospects in the league.

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In theory, Baleba would have been the perfect signing. Equally as good at back-foot defending as he is on the front-foot, his engine provides the opportunity for the likes of Bruno Fernandes to do what they do best, effect the game in the final third.

United’s pursuit of Baleba may have ended, but that doesn’t mean central midfield isn’t still a problem position. Casemiro is still a useful asset, but at 33-year-olf age, questions remain as to whether he still has the legs to do the job.

Manuel Ugarte is good when opposition players are running at him, but struggles on the counter, while Kobbie Mainoo is too attacking to be played in a pivot with Fernandes, which will likely be the captain’s position this season.

So, who should Man United look to as an alternative to Baleba now that deal is off?

Amadou Onana (Aston Villa)

Barring Benjamin Sesko, United appear to have a clear plan in this summer’s transfer window, singing Premier League proven players, who aren’t too young but still have a good few years left in the tank, to help add much-needed experience and leadership.

Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha will do that in the final third, Onana, 24, could do that in the centre of the park. Signed from Everton for a reported fee of £50 million last summer, it’s unlikely that Villa would want to sell him so soon.

He’s not quite as nimble as Baleba, but his 26 recoveries, 131 duels won, and 30 tackles won indicate just how proficient he is as a ball winning midfielder. Fitness is a concern; however, he missed 17 games across all comps for Unai Emery last season.

Lamine Camara (Monaco)

If you’re looking for a more defensive minded midfielder, taking a look in France would be wise. Not all of them are going to end up like N’Golo Kante, but for a relatively low fee, taking a chance on a player like Camara could be worth the risk.

With a market value of €21.5m, according to Flashscore, United have the chance to sign a midfielder who is fantastic at connected the defence and midfield, often receiving the ball under pressure and progressing it up field without having to break the bank.

It’s an important role to give a 21-year-old without any previous experience of English football. He doesn’t have to be the be all and end all, however, and would be an excellent stopgap should he not progress and Baleba becomes available down the line.

The Sun recently reported that United are indeed looking at the 26-year-old, who played a key role under Amorim during his time at Sporting. With the Portuguese coach insisting on sticking with his system, it makes sense to add a player that knows it inside and out.

Hjulmand isn’t quite the same profile as Baleba. The Cameroonian has him beat on tackles won (46), duels won (199), and interceptions (46) while the Sporting man wins out on chances created (26), and pass accuracy, (90.8%).

That’s not to say Baleba can’t ping a ball when he needs to, however, he’s made more successful longballs that Hjulmand with 65 compared to the Dane’s 54.

Pablo Barrios (Atletico Madrid)

Admittedly, this one is a bit of a pipe dream. Barrios signed a new deal with Atletico back in May and like Onana, any move for the 22-year-old won’t come cheap, it’s also likely that any move for the Spaniard would completely end their interest in Baleba.

Nothing in football is impossible, however, and if the powers that be at United put in the time, Barrios would come in having established himself as one of La Liga’s best midfielders under Diego Simeone.

Anyone who has watched Atletico under the Argentinian knows exactly what he wants from his midfielders. Barrios is the archetype, offering the tenacity, work rate, and little nasty streak needed to be a success at United.

Quinten Timber (Feyenoord)

I bet you thought we were going to say Adam Wharton. He would obviously be a fantastic addition, but in a dream world, he would be playing beside Baleba rather than instead of him considering their totally different profiles.

Signing Timber, 24, would be a risk. The Eredivisie is a fantastic league in its own right, but, historically, players brough in from the Netherlands directly into the Premier League have struggled, excluding Luis Suarez.

Last season, he ended Feyenoord’s league campaign with 24 tackles won, 98 duels won, and 57 recoveries. He has it in him to be exactly what United need, it just depends on whether it would be able to translate.

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