Carlos Baleba may be deployed as an emergency left-back at Manchester United after manager Michael Carrick failed to land his primary defensive target before the transfer deadline. The 22-year-old Brighton midfielder is expected to complete a move to Old Trafford worth up to £65 million in the coming days, but he will not make his debut immediately due to an ankle ligament injury.
Transfer close but debut delayed
United and Brighton are close to finalising a deal for the Cameroon international, who will join a midfield group that already includes Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, and summer signings Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos. However, Baleba is currently sidelined with an ankle ligament injury, meaning fans will have to wait before seeing him in action.
The Athletic report that after securing Tielemans and Santos, United's recruitment focus shifted to finding cover and competition for Luke Shaw, the only natural left-back in the first-team squad. But when the injury-prone Mount suffered another setback in pre-season, the recruitment team decided to look for players capable of operating both in midfield and at full-back.
Left-back search hits dead ends
United initially targeted Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly and Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga, but both proved unattainable. The club then pivoted back to Baleba, who has never played at left-back but is left-footed and has previously filled in as a centre-back for Brighton.
It is reported that the Cameroon international will be considered for the left-back role if needed, a scenario that seems likely given Carrick's difficulty in bringing in a defender before the transfer window closes. United's top left-back targets are Lewis Hall and Joaquin Seys, but Newcastle United and Club Brugge are adamant they will not sell this summer.
Further options and season opener
Barcelona's Alejandro Balde is the latest name linked with Old Trafford, with United holding talks with the Spain international's agent. Additionally, Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez, and Patrick Dorgu have all covered at left-back before, but none are considered naturals in that position.
United kick off their season on Saturday with a trip to newly-promoted Hull City.
