Manchester United Urged to Pursue Brighton’s Baleba Over Sesko

Matheus Cunha has endorsed a shift in Manchester United’s transfer strategy, suggesting that the club should focus on signing Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba instead of continuing their pursuit of Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko. The recommendation comes from former United defender Rio Ferdinand, who believes that the team should prioritize bolstering their midfield options.

United has already made significant additions to their attacking lineup this summer, securing Cunha from Wolves and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford. With Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee eager to establish their presence at Old Trafford, Ferdinand argues that manager Ruben Amorim has sufficient forward options and should direct resources towards enhancing the midfield.

Carlos Baleba, 21, has emerged as a standout performer for Brighton since joining from Lille in 2023. His impressive displays have caught the attention of pundits and fans alike. Baleba has set high aspirations for himself, drawing inspiration from Rodri, the Manchester City midfielder who won the Ballon d’Or. In a recent interview with The Sun, Baleba stated, “Declan Rice, Matheus Cunha, Joelinton, they’ve all told me I’ve got it in me. I want to win the Ballon d’Or like Rodri.”

Baleba recounted his experience facing Rodri, noting, “I watched him during the Euros and before his injury I played against him… It was my first game against Manchester City, and it was very difficult. He made it so hard to dribble or pass. That showed his class.”

In a candid discussion on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand elaborated on his views regarding United’s transfer approach. “If I don’t get a striker, I’d go midfield,” he said, emphasizing his belief in Baleba’s potential impact. “He’s physically great, can drive with the ball, and is tactically astute. He has great energy and Premier League experience.”

Ferdinand strongly advocated for prioritizing Baleba over other targets, stating, “That’s who I go and get. I go and break the bank.” He made it clear that he would choose Baleba, who possesses proven Premier League experience, over a younger and less experienced striker. “I think he’ll have a huge impact on this squad,” he added, highlighting Baleba’s all-action style of play.

Currently, Manchester United has also turned their attention to Benjamin Sesko after deeming him a more viable option than Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins. The situation surrounding Sesko has become increasingly complex, as Newcastle United has expressed interest in the 22-year-old striker. Reports indicate conflicting preferences, suggesting that while Manchester United was initially considered a favored destination for Sesko, there are indications that he may lean towards a move to Newcastle.

In a significant development, Newcastle recently rejected a £110 million bid from Liverpool for their own striker, Alexander Isak. This suggests that the competition for top attacking talent remains fierce, with Manchester United needing to act decisively as the transfer window progresses.

As the club navigates its transfer priorities, the endorsement of Carlos Baleba by Matheus Cunha and Rio Ferdinand may influence Manchester United’s strategy as they aim to strengthen their squad for the ongoing season.