Manchester United’s reported move for Carlos Baleba has led many to believe the club’s midfield rebuild is finally complete. The Cameroonian would certainly address some of United’s off-the-ball weaknesses, having averaged six defensive contributions per 90 minutes during an impressive 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
The concern, however, isn’t Baleba’s talent. It’s whether his profile solves United’s biggest midfield issue. Baleba is a dynamic box-to-box midfielder who thrives on covering ground, but can he anchor the midfield on his own? In a league as physical as the Premier League, and with four competitions to navigate, relying on him as the only truly physical midfield presence could be a gamble.
If the deal goes through, United will have added another central midfielder without signing a specialist No. 6, leaving questions about balance and depth. His current injury situation adds another layer of uncertainty, as there is no guarantee he will make an immediate impact upon his return. 
Those concerns became more pronounced after United’s 2-0 opening-day defeat to Hull City, where they were outplayed and outmuscled. With Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos, and Kobbie Mainoo currently carrying much of the midfield responsibility, can the club afford to wait for Baleba to be the solution?
Meanwhile, United’s transfer focus appears to be elsewhere, with greater attention on signing a striker and a left-back. Questions also remain over some tactical decisions, including Patrick Dorgu’s deployment on the left wing and Benjamin Sesko’s limited role.
So, while Baleba could be an important addition, the bigger question remains: Has Manchester United truly completed their midfield rebuild, or is there still a missing piece?
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