Carlos Baleba is final piece of Man Utd’s midfield jigsaw – now he needs to ‘do a Carrick’ and guide them to the title

CARLOS BALEBA need look no further than his new manager for the inspiration to be a title winner at Manchester United. It is 20 years since Michael Carrick joined the Red Devils from Tottenham in an £18.6million deal. New Man United signing Carlos Baleba should looks to boss Michael Carrick for inspiration Credit: Getty Carrick was a game changing arrival for the Red Devils when he joined the club in 2006 Credit: Getty And current boss Carrick’s most consequential signing this summer is another deep-lying midfielder. Baleba, 22, has arrived from Brighton for an initial £65million — a year since United first enquired about the Cameroonian. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! It begs the question why United waited until the final week of the transfer window to sign him. But their midfield overhaul is now complete — with Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos also arriving at Old Trafford this summer. Towards the end of last season United also tied down England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, 21, on a contract until 2031. No player in Baleba’s position has proved such a game-changer in terms of helping United to fulfil their ambitions since Carrick’s arrival in 2006. Sir Alex Ferguson needed to strengthen his midfield at the time with United having been unable to win the Premier League title in three successive seasons. Carrick proved the final piece in the jigsaw as United were crowned champions in his first season. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK And along with Owen Hargreaves who arrived the following summer, Carrick was pivotal in the Red Devils finishing top of the pile in five of Fergie’s final seven seasons in charge — as well as winning the Champions League in 2008 — before his retirement in 2013. United have made headline signings for their engine room since those two – Marouane Fellaini, Paul Pogba, Fred, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte among them. But none have them have been able to help United to their former Premier League heights. Pogba was Baleba’s idol. But hopefully there will be none of the constant problems Pogba caused in trying to force an exit during his second six-year stint at United. Baleba’s arrival is perhaps recognition that Santos — signed from Chelsea for £50m — does not offer all of the solutions to the Red Devils’ problem No 6 position, Santos does not have Baleba’s physicality and United’s need for a specialist defensive midfielder saw them make a fresh enquiry to Real Madrid for Frenchman Aurelien Tchouameni last month. Baleba brings the physicality and dynamism the United midfield is missing Credit: Getty Baleba commanded a cheaper fee and salary than Tchouameni would have done — and has the benefit of three years of Prem experience. Director of football Jason Wilcox said: “Carlos’ determination to join Manchester United and his confidence we will achieve our shared ambitions mean he’s the perfect signing.” Baleba was impressed by United’s vision for his development and was made to feel wanted. He had briefly spoken with Carrick and been deep in conversation with Matheus Cunha after United’s 3-0 win at Brighton on the final day of last season. Even though Brighton had just qualified for the Conference League, Baleba had set his sights higher. He will get Champions League football at United and believes he is an ideal fit having adapted to the Prem’s speed and physicality over the past three season. Baleba completed United’s rebuild for the new season. Bruno Fernandes’ future has been a point of discussion for months and was this week crowed United’s first PFA Player of the Year since Wayne Rooney in 2010. Baleba could be United’s missing piece of the puzzle in midfield after years of misfires Credit: AFP While the Portuguese midfielder has enough individual accolades to fill a skip, he has found team medals harder to come by. He was won just two trophies in nearly seven years with United — although they have also lost two European finals in that time. He can no longer complain that the squad is lacking. United may be unconvincing in defence but they have nine fit senior defenders and Baleba’s arrival gives the squad greater balance. Fernandes was close to Casemiro, the predecessor in Baleba’s position before his departure in the summer. While Baleba does not quite have the presence of five-time Champions League winner Casemiro, he is more athletic and dynamic. Fernandes turns 32 in September and his contract expires next year. His arrival gives United much more balance alongside skipper Bruno Fernandes Credit: AFP Carrick is the ultimate example for United stars as they chase the Prem title Credit: Alamy United will almost certainly trigger a one-year extension until 2028 — unless they furnish Fernandes with a new deal before then. United have targeted 2028 — the 150th anniversary of the club — to end their long wait for a title. Sealing a 21st United title would not only be the perfect send-off for Fernandes, it would seal his status as a legendary figure at the club. Even before Saturday’s horror show at Hull — that saw them start the season with a shock 2-0 defeat — this season has felt too soon for United to be crowned champions. But they should have little trouble in convincing Fernandes to agree to new terms. He will have some leverage in terms of his salary however — particularly with the return of Marcus Rashford, the club’s highest wage earner despite having made his last start for United in December 2024. United have made no secret they want their salary structure to ensure their best player is also their highest earner. The PFA award underlines Fernandes’ status. But he is another man who can be inspired by Carrick in his quest for a Prem title. Comment now