How Manchester United will lineup after signing Carlos Baleba

Manchester United are closing in on their third major midfield signing of the summer, with Carlos Baleba potentially completing Michael Carrick’s transformation of the position.

According to Sky Sports, United are close to reaching a full agreement with Brighton for the 22-year-old, who is preparing to travel to Manchester ahead of a medical.

A five-year contract is ready for Baleba to sign once the clubs have finalised a transfer expected to be worth more than £60 million.

The Cameroon international would follow Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans to Old Trafford, giving Carrick several distinctly different midfield combinations alongside Kobbie Mainoo and captain Bruno Fernandes.

Baleba prefers operating as a number six and would bring the athleticism, ball-carrying ability and defensive presence United have lacked since Casemiro’s departure.

So, here are five ways United could organise their midfield if the transfer is completed.

Carlos Baleba, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes

This could ultimately become Carrick’s strongest and most balanced midfield.

Baleba would operate as the deepest player, providing Mainoo with greater freedom to progress through midfield and influence the game further forward.

Mainoo has frequently been required to play within a deeper partnership, but the academy graduate possesses the close control and composure to become a more influential number eight when protected by a natural holding midfielder.

Fernandes would retain his preferred position behind Benjamin Sesko, supplying the creativity for a front three also containing Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.

Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Bruno Fernandes

Tielemans offers United greater experience and passing range alongside their prospective new signing.

The Belgian is comfortable receiving possession from the defence and could help Carrick’s side control games against opponents who defend deeply.

Baleba’s recovery speed would also provide some protection whenever Tielemans moves forward to combine with Fernandes, giving better cover in the centre.

This partnership may lack Mainoo’s ability to escape pressure in tight spaces, but it would give United two midfielders capable of progressing the ball through very different methods.

Tielemans could pass through the opposition, while Baleba possesses the power to carry it beyond them.

Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Bruno Fernandes

Baleba and Santos would create United’s most physically imposing midfield partnership.

Santos started all six of United’s pre-season fixtures and emerged as one of the standout performers of the summer. He has already shown his ability to win possession, cover ground and arrive inside the opposition penalty area.

Playing beside Baleba would allow the Brazilian to become more adventurous without leaving United exposed whenever attacks break down.

However, both players are still only 22. Carrick may initially avoid placing responsibility for controlling United’s midfield entirely upon two young players adapting to the expectations at Old Trafford.

Their energy could nevertheless make this combination particularly valuable against aggressive or athletic opponents.

Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Kobbie Mainoo

Carrick could select all three young midfielders when United require greater defensive security.

Baleba would sit at the base, with Santos and Mainoo operating ahead of him as two number eights. It would give United additional protection through the centre and make them significantly more difficult to overpower.

Fernandes would ordinarily be the player sacrificed, but Carrick could instead move his captain into a false-nine role, allowing for more of a defensive play-style.

The Portugal international has previously operated as United’s most advanced player and could drop into midfield, allowing Cunha and Mbeumo to attack the space beyond him.

It would effectively enable United to pack four midfielders into the team without completely removing their most productive creator.

Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans

United must also prepare for the occasions when Fernandes is injured, suspended or simply needs to rest.

Tielemans would become the most advanced midfielder in this combination, with Santos supporting attacks from a box-to-box role and Baleba protecting the defence.

Fernandes could again operate as a false nine ahead of this trio when the intention is to dominate the centre rather than leave him out altogether.

However, the arrival of Baleba would consequently leave Mason Mount facing a reduced role, as Mount routine injuries would make Baleba a more reliable option.

The England international should remain an important rotation option across several midfield positions, but he may no longer enter the season as part of Carrick’s preferred combination.

That said, Baleba would not arrive without risk. His performances declined last season and he is currently recovering from an ankle ligament injury, although it is not expected to cause an extended absence.

As such, if the deal goes through, United would still be buying enormous potential rather than the finished product.

However, his signing would give Carrick something even more valuable than a single preferred midfield, the ability to change its balance according to the opponent.

Baleba could anchor combinations built around Mainoo’s composure, Tielemans’ passing or Santos’ physicality, while allowing Fernandes to remain close to goal.

That flexibility may be the clearest indication of why United are prepared to spend heavily to finally bring him to Old Trafford.