Manchester United have a decision to make. Michael Carrick is on course to guide the Red Devils into the Champions League, and in that, he will have staked a compelling claim for the job on a permanent basis.
Only months ago, when Ruben Amorim was dismissed after a wretched spell in the dugout, playing in Europe’s premier competition seemed far-fetched. United had wasted away, headed for more frustration.
But now, the third-place Premier League side are looking forward with optimism, but there’s no question that reinforcements are needed across numerous areas. Casemiro is leaving, and attacking additions are needed too.
A lot to consider, but INEOS are showing their ambition. Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni is on the shortlist, but he’s not the only one.
Man United targeting Premier League superstar
Manchester United can sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, should they want him. The combative midfielder has not been at the races this year, though he is young and exhibited such quality throughout the 2024/25 season.
|
CBaleba’s Premier League Form |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Match Stats (* per 90) |
24/25 |
25/26 |
|
Matches (starts) |
34 (31) |
27 (20) |
|
Goals + Assists |
3 + 1 |
0 + 0 |
|
Touches* |
54.0 |
31.2 |
|
Accurate passes* |
33.6 (88%) |
19.3 (86%) |
|
Chances created* |
0.6 |
0.2 |
|
Possession lost* |
8.0 |
5.1 |
|
Succ. dribbles* |
1.0 |
0.4 |
|
Ball recoveries* |
5.8 |
3.0 |
|
Tackles + interceptions* |
3.7 |
2.0 |
|
Duels (won)* |
5.9 (55%) |
2.7 (48%) |
|
Errors made |
3x |
5x |
Returning to the Champions League will only enhance INEOS’s transfer pull, and while Baleba would perhaps move to Old Trafford regardless, dismayed after his prospective move fell through in 2025, United could turn toward more ambitious targets.
According to the latest from talkSPORT, Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers is on Man United’s shortlist ahead of the summer transfer window. Rogers, 23, is one of the Premier League’s prized attacking midfielders and signing him won’t be straightforward, with a host of suitors lined up – and not just from England.
Real Madrid like what they see, and Aston Villa are determined to bank at least £80m, should Rogers push to leave this summer.
Why Rogers could be a bigger Man Utd star than Baleba
Rogers and Baleba could end up forming a wonderful partnership at Manchester United, but the Aston Villa star is currently the one who would excite a greater number of Red Devils with his arrival.
Hailed as “one of the world’s best” by pundit Jamie Redknapp, Rogers brings a physical and powerful presence to the midfield, typically launching himself into the danger area and scoring and creating goals.
At Villa Park, he has been the driving force behind Unai Emery’s success in recent years, posting 51 direct goal involvements across all competitions since the start of the 2024/25 campaign.
Though Jason Wilcox will be tasked with whittling down Villa’s exorbitant £80m price tag, there’s no denying Rogers’ quality as one of the most talented attackers in the world, and his ability to play out on the left flank could strengthen the United claim to sign him.
His sustained success puts him in a higher bracket than a deeper midfielder such as Baleba, who has world-class potential in his locker but needs to find it after a testing campaign.
The England international isn’t just an ever-improving outlet in the final third, but a midfielder who can get stuck in and affect play across different phases, winning 4.2 duels per Premier League game on average this season.
While replacing Bruno Fernandes is going to be an impossible task for the Red Devils, they might just land the next best thing in Rogers, a player who is going to keep getting better over the coming years.
In that, he is a more exciting target and a bigger talent than Baleba, but with both in the team, United fans can avoid comparing and just enjoy them.
No need for Tchouameni: Man Utd already have the next Mainoo out on loan
Man Utd’s midfield solution could be a little closer to home.