Michael Carrick hasn’t settled on his strongest midfield after Manchester United invested £148.8m to revamp the engine room.
Despite early-season disappointment surrounding Manchester United’s summer signings, Ineos successfully achieved its goal of restructuring the midfield. Casemiro’s contract expired, and they had no other choice after delaying midfield investment in recent years.
Since the 2026/27 season began, Carrick has been able to play just two of those three new signings. Youri Tielemans has more minutes under his belt than Andrey Santos, while Carlos Baleba has yet to make his debut due to an ankle injury he sustained before his transfer from Brighton.
It is perhaps telling that Tielemans and Santos have yet to perform at the same level as Kobbie Mainoo. The United academy graduate has been Carrick’s standout performer this season.
Owen Hargreaves picks preferred midfield trio for Man Utd
There’s a lot of pressure weighing on Baleba’s shoulders ahead of his United debut. Only time will tell if he is able to deal with the giant step up from Brighton to the biggest club in the Premier League.
It won’t be long before Baleba gets a chance to play with his new teammates in a competitive game. Based on performances so far this season, the Cameroon international is likely to be partnered by Mainoo in the middle against Tottenham.
That means Baleba has another three weeks to work on his fitness at Carrington.
Former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has assessed the season so far on the latest episode of United! United! United! During a chat with former Manchester United journalist Steve Bartram, he raved about Mainoo’s form.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Kobbie [Mainoo] play a bad game,” Hargreaves said.
“He’s reliable and can pass on the ball at any point. I think this season he’s playing a bit deeper because Carra wants him to initiate as he’s so good on the ball.”
Hargreaves went on to suggest that Mainoo may need more protection from a defensive midfielder to allow him to get on the ball to dictate games.
It remains to be seen what United’s strongest midfield trio will look like after the international break, with everyone fully fit. Hargreaves believes the best midfield dynamic for United consists of Mainoo with Baleba sitting deep and Bruno Fernandes in his preferred number 10 role.
“If you have somebody who thinks defensively as I did, or like Casemiro did, they’re probably more inclined to be there,” Hargreaves added. “Kobbie, Youri, Bruno, and Andrey – they’re all brilliant players, but they’re all better with the ball.
“In that sense, Kobbie has done great. He’s been the best player by a country mile. I think Kobbie playing as an 8, a bit higher, with Bruno as a 10, and then, hopefully, Baleba plays as that number 6. Then you’ve got three styles. Three different players. Baleba, the more physical, athletic one. Kobbie, the link across the box, can pass the ball anywhere. Bruno is your creator.”
Only time will tell if Baleba’s introduction in midfield helps improve things at United in a team that has looked incapable of grinding out results.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/uKGg48h