Carlos Baleba suffers new injury: The end of Man Utd's transfer plans.
An ankle injury that ruled Carlos Baleba out of the start of the 2026/27 season has forced Manchester United to reconsider their midfield transfer plans.
Manchester United's plans to strengthen their midfield have just received a cold shower. According to transfer expert David Ornstein, Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba has suffered an ankle injury and will be sidelined for the early part of the 2026/27 season. This incident makes the chances of the Old Trafford club signing the 22-year-old star more slim than ever.
The risk problem in the midline area.
Manager Michael Carrick is actively searching for a third central midfielder capable of winning tackles, tackling, and recovering the ball to support Manchester United's ambitions of competing on four fronts next season. However, the top priority for the Red Devils' coaching staff is consistency and the ability to play regularly.
The reality is that the current squad situation at Old Trafford is alarming. Manuel Ugarte is sidelined for a long period following an injury sustained during the World Cup, while Youri Tielemans also has a poor injury history. Continuing to recruit a player prone to injuries like Baleba would pose too great a risk to the team's system.
Carlos Baleba has a long injury record.
Data extracted from Premier Injuries suggests that the latest ankle injury is not a sudden setback, but rather the latest in a series of consecutive absences for the Cameroonian midfielder.
- January 2025:Injuries can keep players out of action for 2 to 4 weeks.
- July 2025:A serious knee injury caused him to miss more than four weeks of competition.
- March 2026:I will be absent for another week due to fitness issues.
- Summer 2026:An ankle injury kept him out during the start of the 2026/27 season.
The cycle of instability and lessons from the past.
Missing much of the 2025 pre-season had serious consequences for Baleba personally. In the following Premier League season, the 22-year-old midfielder suffered a significant drop in form, frequently losing his starting place and often being substituted after the first half. Brighton's coaching staff admitted that his morale was severely affected by transfer rumors.
A repeat of the 2026 summer transfer window is the clearest sign that Manchester United should officially close the deal. With a demanding season ahead, the Red Devils are forced to shift their focus to safer targets that ensure better fitness levels in the transfer market.