Manchester United’s Alternative Midfield Targets
Manchester United has reportedly made formal contact with Brighton regarding their top midfield target, Carlos Baleba. However, it seems the 21-year-old will remain at the Amex Stadium for now. Reports suggest that Brighton have been firm in their stance, not even indicating an asking price. As a result, United have temporarily stepped back from pursuing Baleba. But the question remains: will they sign another defensive midfielder this transfer window?
There are several players who could serve as alternatives to Baleba.
Amadou Onana
Manchester United were frequently linked with Amadou Onana when he was at Everton. Eventually, Onana moved to Aston Villa, while Manuel Ugarte joined Erik ten Hag’s midfield last summer. Now, there’s a chance to revisit Onana’s potential.
Onana is known for his physical presence and ability to fill the gaps in the center of the park. While there are concerns about his progressive passing from deep, his dominance in the Premier League is undeniable. Given Aston Villa’s financial constraints, they might be open to offers for one of their key players.
Douglas Luiz
Douglas Luiz’s time at Juventus hasn’t gone as planned. However, he was instrumental in helping Aston Villa rise from the bottom half of the table to a Champions League side. For Amorim, this is the challenge he faces at Old Trafford.
United would need to act quickly if they want to secure Luiz, as Nottingham Forest is reportedly set to sign him from Juventus imminently. A last-minute move could still be possible.
Angelo Stiller
Angelo Stiller, a highly-rated Germany international at Stuttgart, may not be a direct replacement for Baleba, but he would significantly improve United’s midfield. Toni Kroos is reportedly a fan of Stiller, and Real Madrid could benefit from having him in their midfield.
United are also planning a 2026 move for Adam Wharton, potentially forming a Baleba-Wharton pivot. Stiller would fit the Wharton mold, making him a viable option for the immediate future.
Lucien Agoume
Sevilla is in a financially precarious position, having only signed one loanee this summer. This presents an opportunity for United to make a lowball offer for a star player like Lucien Agoume.
Agoume stood out for an otherwise underwhelming Sevilla side last season. He is likely destined for better things than remaining in La Liga’s lower half. The 24-year-old joined Sevilla on a permanent deal from Inter last summer, but it’s uncertain if he will stay much longer.
Morten Hjulmand
Morten Hjulmand, captain of Sporting, is reportedly available for a transfer this summer. There is evidence that he can thrive in Amorim’s system.
Hjulmand has been frequently mentioned as the most likely back-up option to Baleba. His availability makes him a strong candidate for United to consider.
Abdoulaye Toure
Abdoulaye Toure is a wildcard option. The 31-year-old Guinea international has largely flown under the radar in Ligue 1. While he wouldn’t be a glamorous signing, he could provide a cheaper, more practical solution for the upcoming season.
According to FBref, Toure is statistically similar to Baleba in terms of output and playing style over the past 365 days. He also scored 10 league goals last season, including two crucial penalties to keep Le Havre in the league.
Learning from Liverpool’s Approach
Manchester United’s approach to building their squad mirrors that of Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s Reds prioritized attacking signings before strengthening their midfield and defense. They then patiently secured foundational players like Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, and Fabinho.
Could this be the best practice template for United to follow? By focusing on attack first, they might build a stronger foundation for future success.