Carlos Baleba emerges as Manchester United’s potential Casemiro replacement

ESPN sources report that Brighton & Hove Albion could lower their asking price for the 22-year-old Cameroon international from roughly £100 million to about £60 million after United’s earlier summer spending of £85 million on midfielders Andrey Santos (£48 million from Chelsea) and Youri Tielemans (£35 million from Aston Villa). United’s long-standing search for a partner to complement Bruno Fernandes has therefore turned to Baleba as a possible long-term solution for the injured Manuel Ugarte and as a replacement for the departing Casemiro.

ESPN

Baleba arrived from Lille in 2023 for an initial £24 million fee and has logged 92 Premier League appearances over three seasons. The midfielder is described as a defensive-oriented player whose game relies on tactical awareness, positional discipline and athletic stamina rather than pure disruption. In the 2024-25 campaign he was one of only two central midfielders to reach a top speed of 34 km/h, according to Gradient Sports, and his combined 92 tackles and interceptions placed him joint-sixth among league midfielders.

ESPN

United’s current 4-2-3-1 system, often attributed to Michael Carrick, would allow Baleba to sit alongside Tielemans in a double-pivot. Analysts note that while Tielemans provides technical creativity, United require a more physically imposing partner—an attribute Baleba possesses through his “freakish” stamina and ability to cover large ground quickly. His defensive positioning and ability to screen and plug gaps align with the role previously filled by Casemiro, though he lacks the Brazilian’s late-run goal threat and mid-range shooting.

ESPN

Baleba’s 2025-26 season was disrupted by heavy transfer speculation, frequent half-time substitutions and an ankle-ligament injury sustained this summer, leaving his fitness and confidence in question. ESPN highlights inconsistent passing as a weakness; he can mis-hit switches or under-deliver short passes, creating occasional risk for teammates. Additionally, his limited goal threat and poor crossing mean he would not be expected to contribute offensively beyond his defensive duties. United will need to address these issues in training before he can be relied upon as a regular starter.

ESPN