Manchester United’s interest in a new midfielder this winter seems to be hotting up. The Red Devils could move on a couple of players in the middle of the park, if recent reports are to be believed.
Ruben Amorim seems happy to get rid of Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte over the coming weeks.
It has not been an easy season for either of those players. Despite his obvious talent, Amorim continues to ignore Mainoo, and the Englishman has yet to start a Premier League game this term.
As for Ugarte, he is merely a squad player at Old Trafford, starting just two league games himself in 2025/26.
Whatever the future of the two midfielders, United seemingly have a few replacements identified.
Man Utd pursuing midfield target
There are a few names that keep popping up when it comes to United’s midfield targets. Two of those are England internationals Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton, both of whom United are interested in signing.
Of course, another player United are constantly linked with is Brighton and Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba.
The 21-year-old was a target over the summer for the Red Devils, and it has been confirmed by The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell that the club had actually ‘agreed personal terms’ with the Cameroonian midfielder at the time, albeit while opting against actually lodging a bid.
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As was the case then, this is not a deal that will come cheap for the 13-time Premier League champions.
They will have to smash their transfer record to sign the midfielder, paying £100m as per a report at the start of December.
However, Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in Baleba and could make a move of their own despite the hefty price tag.
Why Baleba would be an upgrade on Ugarte
It has not actually been the best season for Brighton’s key man in midfield, Baleba. The 21-year-old has featured in all 13 Premier League games, but has struggled for consistency and has not really found his best form.
Indeed, the former Lille star has mustered only 701 minutes in the top flight this term, and has only completed 90 minutes on one occasion.
So far this term, he averages just 7.7 full 90-minute games.
Yet, his importance to the Brighton side when at his best cannot be understated. Described as a “beast” by Matt O’Riley, he played 34 times under Fabian Hurzeler last term, even chipping in with three goals and one assist.
Perhaps the pick of the bunch was this strike against West Ham United, which won him the goal of the month award.
Should United bring Baleba to Old Trafford, he would be a huge upgrade on Ugarte. Since his £50.5m move from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, the Uruguayan international has been underwhelming.
Indeed, once a key player at Sporting under Amorim, Ugarte has struggled to get into the side. He’s only played nine times in the top flight this season, racking up only 301 minutes.
Last term, he was more of a regular, playing 39 times across the Premier League and Europa League, and even chipped in with two goals, but he has fallen firmly out of favour in 2025/26.
After United were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Grimsby Town this season, Red Devils content creator Alex Turk described Ugarte as “embarrassing.”
Indeed, his lack of physicality and progression on the ball is far worse than that of Baleba.
There are stats which back that theory up, too. The Red Devils transfer target averaged 1.34 progressive carries and 6.41 ball recoveries per 90 minutes, compared to Ugarte’s 0.86 progressive carries and 6.12 ball recoveries each game.
Progressive passes
3.54
3.49
Progressive carries
1.34
0.86
Ball recoveries
6.41
6.12
Interceptions
1.55
1.34
Clearances
1.58
1.21
Of course, £100m is a huge investment, but for a player of Baleba’s quality, it might well be worth it.
He is far better than Ugarte in and out of possession, and would bring more of a physical presence to Amorim’s pivot.
This certainly feels like a deal United should try and get over the line, if they want to add better quality in the middle of the park.
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