Carlos Baleba has come a long way since the day he had to pull out of a Cameroon Cup last-16 match due to a school exam. Now his exams are restricted to the football field, and a significant one is looming at Old Trafford this weekend against rock-bottom Tottenham. It is unfair on the 22-year-old to be viewed as the potential saviour of Manchester United's season. However, at £70m, Baleba was by far the most expensive of United's three major summer signings. He is the player earmarked for the holding midfield role Michael Carrick has struggled to fill effectively since Casemiro's exit in May.
United knew Baleba had an ankle injury when they bought him from Brighton on 25 August, and he may have to wait until after the international break to make his debut. The club did not expect to be 12th in the Premier League with just one win and five points from their opening five games. There is no disguising that the pressure is on for Baleba and his new club, ahead of three away trips in a row, including Champions League encounters at Atletico Madrid and Como.
Clearly, Baleba must do more than run fast; his input must be felt in the dressing room as well as on the pitch. Sources say an initial shyness and nervousness is being overcome. He has struck up a friendship with Amad Diallo, and a shared African background has created a natural bond. Baleba's natural jocular personality should help his preparation, and he has a powerful determination to succeed, drilled into him by his dad.
The key for United is that Baleba produces the performances that lit up his 2024-25 campaign at Brighton, which earned suggestions of a potential move to Real Madrid, rather than the below-par displays of last term. As it turned out, the recruitment work done at Carrington was not wasted. After missing out on Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes, United moved for Baleba, and they regard £70m as good business. Yet any early verdict should wait until he has actually stepped on to the pitch.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing