Man Utd confident of signing £70m Mainoo upgrade after agreeing personal terms

Manchester United are in a strong position. They certainly have more confidence and focus than a few months ago, when Ruben Amorim was dismissed and the future looked bleak.

But much has improved, and while there is no chance that Michael Carrick will bring silverware to Old Trafford before the summer break, his third-place side are sitting pretty in the Champions League zone and they could reinforce that position with a win over Leeds United on Monday evening.

Improvements are still needed, but Carrick can only do so much until his interim charge becomes permanent – or INEOS otherwise ring a crucial change in the dugout.

However, he has rekindled starboy Kobbie Mainoo, whose reemergence in midfield comes at the right time, the Red Devils set to strengthen in midfield this summer.

Man United planning to rebuild midfield

With Man United coming out of hibernation after the March international break and an absence due to cup competitions, efforts have been made to tie Mainoo down to a new deal, among other important preparations.

Casemiro will leave the club with tears in his eyes at the end of the month and there are few assurances over Manuel Ugarte’s future at the Theatre of Dreams, with the underperforming Uruguayan linked with moves to numerous suitors.

That’s why INEOS will target several midfielders, and while Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is director Jason Wilcox’s priority target, Carlos Baleba is also firmly on the radar.

According to Theatre of Red, there is a growing belief in the Old Trafford offices that United will strike a deal for Baleba, who is unhappy at Brighton & Hove Albion amid a disappointing campaign.

United came close to signing the 23-year-old last summer, agreeing personal terms but failing to get the move over the line. Despite his struggles this season, the talented Premier League star could fetch a lofty £70m figure.

This is one of the most promising midfielders in the country, and though he’s not been at his best, Baleba may well eclipse the likes of Mainoo as United’s main man.

How Carlos Baleba could be an upgrade on Kobbie Mainoo

Last season, Baleba was described as a “monster” by journalist Eduardo Hagn, rising to the fore in Moises Caicedo’s absence on the south coast and alerting Manchester United to his potential as a superstar talent.

It would be fair and appropriate to acknowledge his startling drop-off in form, but United must not let that dissuade them from pursuing a summer deal. Baleba was knocked out of countenance when his dream move fell through, and though he’s not at his best, he has already shown in the Premier League that he has what it takes to throw down with even the heaviest hitters.

After all, the Cameroonian’s performances at AFCON in January underlined his credentials, winning 63% of his duels and covering plenty of ground across the centre.

This is not the same type of player as Mainoo, who is happy to surge forward and use his physicality and technicality to make things happen in the danger area. This is more of a six, someone whose combative, crunching presence in the middle of the park will be crucial in easing Casemiro’s departure.

And this is the profile that Man United need to flourish once again. Baleba was imperious last season, and he showed and sustained a level that goes beyond what Mainoo has demonstrated in the top flight so far. The England international is an impressive young player, but his positional awareness and natural defensive instincts leave something to be desired.

Should Bruno Fernandes stay at the club beyond the campaign, there’s certainly a chance for Baleba to nail down a starting berth with more certainty than Mainoo, whose talent as a number eight could be trumped by someone like Anderson, should they sign too.

Carlos Baleba’s Premier League Form
Match Stats (* per 90)	24/25	25/26
Matches (starts)	34 (31)	26 (19)
Goals + Assists	3 + 1	0 + 0
Touches*	54.0	30.2
Accurate passes*	33.6 (88%)	18.5 (86%)
Chances created*	0.6	0.2
Possession lost*	8.0	4.9
Succ. dribbles*	1.0	0.3
Ball recoveries*	5.8	2.9
Tackles + interceptions*	3.7	2.1
Duels (won)*	5.9 (55%)	2.7 (48%)
Errors made	3x	5x

As far as the formbook goes, Baleba has fallen off a proverbial cliff this season. But he remains a top talent, a young and ferocious midfielder who has the potential to be one of the best in Europe.

Indeed, former teammate Glenn Murray has even gone as far as to suggest that he is “better than Caicedo“, who left the AMEX for Chelsea in a £111m deal in 2023.

He has what it takes to become one of the best in the business, someone who can work perfectly with Mainoo in the centre while still outdriving his teammate.