Five ways Carlos Baleba improves Manchester United

Carlos Baleba’s arrival at Manchester United is expected to bring a new dimension to their midfield, with his physicality, defensive strength and ability to drive the team forward, offering solutions to several key weaknesses.

Manchester United have finally completed the signing of Carlos Baleba, adding another major piece to Michael Carrick’s midfield rebuild, closing the chapter on the player that had been on their radar since two summers ago.

The 22-year-old Cameroon international has arrived on a five-year contract, with the deal reported to be worth up to £70 million. His arrival follows the summer additions of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, taking United’s midfield recruitment to another level as the club attempts to address an area that has lacked balance.

Baleba’s arrival is particularly intriguing because United are not simply adding another midfielder; they are bringing in a profile the existing squad has lacked. Bruno Fernandes remains the creative reference point, while Tielemans offers passing quality and Santos provides youthful technical ability.

Carlos Baleba, however, brings a more physically imposing and defensively aggressive presence. His Premier League experience with Brighton should also reduce the adaptation period, although expectations must be managed because he is still developing.

The biggest question will be how Carrick uses him. Baleba has experience as both a holding midfielder and a more progressive box-to-box player, meaning United can alter their midfield structure depending on the opponent.

Rather than expecting him to solve every problem immediately, the key will be placing his strengths alongside the technical qualities of his new teammates. He is almost a guarantee starter, alongside Youri Tielemans and Bruno Fernandes.

Here are five things the Cameroonian is expected to contribute, which is expected to improve Michael Carrick’s team from the onset, especially if he manages to stay fit and healthy.

5 ways Carlos Baleba improves Manchester United

1. Carlos Baleba adds physicality

Carlos Baleba immediately changes the physical dimension of United’s midfield. His strength, acceleration and ability to cover ground give Carrick a player capable of competing for loose balls and surviving intense midfield battles.

That profile is particularly valuable alongside more technically focused players such as Youri Tielemans and Fernandes. United have lacked a midfielder capable of combining mobility with real defensive force.

Carlos Baleba can provide the muscle that allows Fernandes to operate further forward without leaving the team completely exposed behind him. His presence should also make United harder to play through centrally.

2. Improves ball recovery

One of Baleba’s most important qualities is his ability to regain possession. He is aggressive without simply chasing the ball, using his physicality and reading of situations to close passing lanes and challenge opponents.

In the Premier League last season, Baleba ranks second for most possession won per 90 minutes among central midfielders, with his 3.91 only second to Declan Rice’s 4.41.

That could transform United’s transitions. When Fernandes loses possession while attempting a progressive pass, Baleba can provide immediate cover and help the team counter-press rather than retreat.

His defensive instincts should also complement Santos, Mainoo or Tielemans, allowing one midfielder to press while the Cameroonian protects the space behind.

3. He drives the team forward

Carlos Baleba is not simply a defensive midfielder. His ability to carry the ball through pressure gives Manchester United another method of progressing attacks.

During the 2024/25 season, the midfielder clocked a top speed of 34.06km/h, ranking him second in Europe’s top five leagues for central midfielders, behind only Lewis Cook.

This is important because Bruno Fernandes often looks for ambitious forward passes, while Youri Tielemans prefers to dictate through distribution. Baleba can connect those two functions by winning possession and carrying the ball into midfield before releasing it.

That direct running can accelerate United’s attacks and prevent opponents from comfortably resetting their defensive shape.

4. Offers defensive protection

Manchester United need greater protection in front of their defence, and Baleba can give Michael Carrick a natural screen at the base of midfield. His mobility allows him to cover spaces that a slower holding midfielder might struggle to reach.

That could be particularly beneficial for United’s centre-backs. Instead of defenders being repeatedly exposed when the midfield line is bypassed, Baleba can drop into the defensive structure and close central spaces.

His presence also gives full-backs greater freedom to advance because there is a midfielder capable of covering behind them.

5. Raises midfield energy

Perhaps the most obvious change will be the intensity Carlos Baleba brings. His athleticism allows him to press, recover, carry and repeat those actions throughout matches.

For Fernandes, this could create greater freedom to focus on chance creation. For Tielemans, it could provide the defensive cover needed to influence games through his passing. For Santos, it offers a more secure platform from which to develop.

Ultimately, Baleba’s value may be less about individual statistics and more about how his physical and tactical qualities allow United’s other midfielders to play closer to their strengths.

If Michael Carrick gets that balance right, Carlos Baleba could become the midfielder who makes the rest of Manchester United’s midfield make more sense.