Manchester United have a decision to make. Michael Carrick is set to guide the Red Devils into the Champions League, and in doing so, he will be putting in a strong bid for the full-time job.
Months ago, when Ruben Amorim was sacked after a terrible spell in the dugout, playing in Europe’s biggest competition seemed a long way off. United were in tatters, heading for more frustration.
But now, the third-placed team in the Premier League is looking forward with hope, but there is no doubt that strengthening is needed in many areas. Casemiro leaves, and the attack is needed again.
There is a lot to consider, but INEOS is showing their ambition. Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni is on the shortlist, but he is not the only one.
Man United are looking for a Premier League star
Manchester United can sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, if they want him. The attacking midfielder has not been in the running this year, despite being young and has shown such quality throughout the 2024/25 season.
|
CBaleba Premier League form |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Match statistics (* out of 90) |
24/25 |
25/26 |
|
The same (beginning) |
34 (31) |
27 (20) |
|
Terms + Help |
3 + 1 |
0 + 0 |
|
Contact* |
54.0 |
31.2 |
|
Accurate passes* |
33.6 (88%) |
19.3 (86%) |
|
Opportunities created* |
0.6 |
0.2 |
|
Item lost* |
8.0 |
5.1 |
|
Success. dribble* |
1.0 |
0.4 |
|
Football recovery* |
5.8 |
3.0 |
|
Facing + meeting* |
3.7 |
2.0 |
|
Duels (won)* |
5.9 (55%) |
2.7 (48%) |
|
Mistakes have been made |
3x |
5x |
A return to the Champions League will only boost INEOS’ transfer, and while Baleba could move to Old Trafford regardless, disappointed after his potential move in 2025 fell through, United could turn to a bigger target.
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 most respected attacking midfielders in the Premier League and signing him will be a no-brainer, with a number of players lined up – not just England.
Real Madrid like what they see, and Aston Villa are willing to bank at least £80m, should Rogers push for an exit this summer.
Why Rogers could be a bigger Man Utd star than Baleba
Rogers and Baleba could eventually form a formidable partnership at Manchester United, but the Aston Villa star is currently set to delight the Red Devils with his arrival.
Hailed as “one of the best in the world” by pundit Jamie Redknapp, Rogers brings a physical and powerful presence in midfield, often putting himself in danger and scoring and creating goals.
At Villa Park, he has been a key factor in Unai Emery’s success in recent years, netting 51 straight goals in all competitions since the start of the 2024/25 campaign.
Although Jason Wilcox will be tasked with undercutting Villa’s £80m price tag, there is no denying Rogers’ quality as one of the world’s most talented strikers, and his ability to play on the left could strengthen United’s bid to sign him.
His continued success puts him in a higher bracket than a deep-lying midfielder like Baleba, who has world-class talent in his locker but needs to find it after a test campaign.
The Englishman is not only a thriving center in the final third, but a midfielder who can stick around and affect play in different phases, winning 4.2 duels per Premier League game on average this season.
While replacing Bruno Fernandes will be an impossible task for the Red Devils, they could be getting the next best thing in Rogers, a player who will continue to improve in the years to come.
In that, he is a more exciting target and has more talent than Baleba, but with both in the team, United fans can avoid comparisons and enjoy.
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