Carlos Baleba was criticized after Brighton lost to MU
The Brighton midfielder caused controversy with his post "Coming to Old Trafford" before the match and then deleted it, and continued to be criticized when he happily took pictures with fans after the defeat; he received a yellow card in the 41st minute and was substituted early in the second half.
A short pre-match status and a post-match smile have put Carlos Baleba in the eye of a storm of criticism, on the day Brighton lost to Manchester United at Old Trafford. The 21-year-old midfielder posted “Coming to Old Trafford” with a smiley face and deleted it a few hours later, leaving the controversy unsettled before being criticized again for freely taking photos with fans right outside the stadium right after the match ended.
Key developments: from viral post to post-match controversy
Before the match at Old Trafford, Baleba posted a picture with the caption “Coming to Old Trafford” and a smiley face. In the context of rumors that he would join Manchester United in the summer, this move was considered “insensitive”. He deleted the post and posted something else, but the public opinion had already escalated.
After the match, the Cameroonian player continued to be criticized for smiling and taking pictures with fans outside the stadium. “He seems happy to lose?” and “He should be thinking about his future destination” were two typical comments reflecting the wave of sarcasm on social media.
Professional corner: yellow card in minute 41 and decision to make a substitution
Technically, Baleba had a lackluster day. He received a yellow card in the 41st minute and left the field at the beginning of the second half. The early card forced the midfielder to limit contact and fierce fighting in midfield, thereby affecting his initiative when Brighton tried to balance the game. The decision to make an early substitution showed that the coaching staff needed to adjust the midfield area in the context of the team's disadvantage.
The combination of the suspension and lacklustre performance meant Baleba failed to make an impact. This is also why his performance is easily juxtaposed with his off-field story, adding to criticism of his attitude at a sensitive time.
Reaction and public opinion: the fine line between message and misunderstanding
Two moments – the pre-match post and the post-match smile – thrust Baleba into controversy. In a high-profile environment, ambiguous messages can easily be interpreted in a negative light, especially when results on the pitch are not favorable. Within hours of posting, Baleba was forced to remove the post and replace it with something else, but the backlash had already spiraled out of control.
Transfer context and consequences
Baleba has been on Manchester United’s radar, so any move involving Old Trafford is likely to be scrutinized. As for the future, Brighton still has the upper hand as his contract runs until 2028, with an option to extend. In that context, the pressure to convince with on-field performance – rather than off-field implications – will increase for the 21-year-old midfielder.
Notable milestones
- Before the match: posted “Coming to Old Trafford” with a smiley face; deleted a few hours later and posted again with different content.
- Minute 41: received a yellow card.
- Second half start: leave the field.
- After the match: smiled and took pictures with fans outside Old Trafford, continued to be criticized.
Summary
At Old Trafford, Brighton’s poor result put everything under a more critical lens. For Baleba, a lacklustre day, a yellow card and an early withdrawal, combined with a series of off-field signals, created a storm of public opinion. From here, his every move – on and off the pitch – will likely continue to be closely observed.
