![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_Screenshot-2025-08-07-at-094124.png\")
Manchester United are keen on signing Carlos Baleba.(Image: Steve Bardens\/Getty Images.)<\/p>\nMan United could add another two statement signings to Ruben Amorim’s squad before the end of the transfer window.<\/p>\n
George is a Senior Football Writer for the Manchester Evening News, mostly covering Manchester United. He previously worked for football.london before joining the MEN team in July 2021. As well as covering United, George is a Championship-enthusiast and co-hosts The Championship Chat Podcast (@Champchatpod24), which you can find on all major podcast platforms.<\/p>\n
Manchester United are keen on signing Carlos Baleba.(Image: Steve Bardens\/Getty Images.)<\/p>\n
With just over a week to go until their Premier League opener against Arsenal, Manchester United are flexing their muscles in the transfer market once again.<\/p>\n
After completing the signings of Diego Leon, Matheus Cunha<\/a> and Bryan Mbeumo earlier in the window, United want to make Benjamin Sesko<\/a> their next recruit.<\/p>\n As reported by the Manchester Evening News<\/a> on Wednesday, United are confident of beating Newcastle United to the signature of the RB Leipzig striker, who scored 21 goals for the Bundesliga club last season.<\/p>\n United have made an opening offer \u00a365.3million plus \u00a38.7m in add-ons for the Slovenian international. Although Newcastle have made a higher bid, it is thought the striker is leaning towards a move to M16.<\/p>\n If United are successful in their efforts, Sesko will become the new face of their forward line, supported by Cunha and Mbeumo<\/a>.<\/p>\n In addition to wanting Sesko, it is also being widely reported that United<\/a> are interested in signing Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba. According to The Athletic<\/a>, United have ‘made contact’ with the Seagulls via intermediaries.<\/p>\n Although attacking signings have rightfully taken priority for United so far this summer, a midfielder has been on their wish list throughout, and Baleba would be another statement signing if he were to move to Old Trafford.<\/p>\n If United successfully lure Sesko and Baleba to M16 before the window shuts on September 1, head coach Ruben Amorim<\/a> will have a very competitive squad to assemble his starting XI from.<\/p>\n Despite the need for a new goalkeeper to come in and challenge Andre Onana for the No.1 spot, the Cameroonian expects to remain Amorim’s first-choice goalkeeper this season.<\/p>\n Leny Yoro<\/a> was arguably United’s best player on the recent pre-season tour of the US, producing a hat-trick of promising performances, meaning he should be a shoo-in at right-sided centre-back. Ayden Heaven is currently the obvious pick on the left of the back-three, but will face fierce competition from Lisandro Martinez<\/a> once he returns from his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.<\/p>\n In the middle, Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire are battling it out to make it into Amorim’s first choice XI, and both will believe they are worthy of winning the place. De Ligt, though, has been the more prominent figure in pre-season.<\/p>\n As far as the wing-backs are concerned, Amad and Patrick Dorgu<\/a> are obvious picks. Amad was United’s most improved player by a country mile last season, adapting to Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system really well, and Dorgu has enjoyed a strong pre-season, providing the attacking thrust Amorim expects from his wing-backs.<\/p>\n Following the additions of Cunha and Mbeumo, captain Bruno Fernandes is expected to be a regular operator in midfield this season. He frequently operated as a No.8 in the second half of last term and produced some of his best performances from a deeper position.<\/p>\n Alongside him, Baleba, if successfully extracted from the Amex Stadium, will expect to go straight into Amorim’s first-choice XI and add bite, energy and aggression to United’s midfield. The Cameroonian, 21, is renowned for his energy, aggressive style of play and being able to progress the ball, meaning he provides exactly what United are looking for in a midfielder.<\/p>\n Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo<\/a> and Casemiro will all equally believe they are worthy of starting, but United would not splash out potentially north of \u00a370m to put Baleba on the bench.<\/p>\n As already documented, Mbeumo and Cunha are the leading candidates to occupy the two No.10 positions. The former, in the eyes of some, should be deployed as the right wing-back amid his history as a winger, but he scored 20 Premier League goals last season and should be played as close to the goal as possible.<\/p>\n Cunha is a seasoned playmaker and well-versed as a No.10 in a three-at-the-back formation. He has enjoyed a solid pre-season and has offered flashes of what he will bring to the table.<\/p>\n At the tip of the attack, Sesko will be a guaranteed starter. He is set to cost north of \u00a370m and United are in desperate need of fresh blood up front.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old should replace Rasmus Hojlund as United’s chief marksman and be supported by Cunha and Mbeumo, who scored 35 Premier League goals between them for Wolves and Brentford last season.<\/p>\n Dream United XI with two more signings: <\/strong>Onana; Yoro, De Ligt, Heaven; Amad, Baleba, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha; Sesko.<\/p>\n The countdown is on to the 2025\/26 Premier League campaign – and our pre-season guide<\/a> is the ideal way to prepare for the action ahead.<\/p>\n As well as in-depth analysis and opinion on your club, we turn the spotlight on every team battling for top-flight glory – or simply survival in the toughest league in the world!<\/p>\n Also full fixtures guide so you don’t miss a game in what is set to be a thrilling season.<\/p>\n![\"Andre](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_GettyImages-2226917768.jpg\")
Andre Onana could return from injury against Fiorentina.(Image: Ash Donelon\/Manchester United via Getty Images.)<\/p>\n![\"Carlos](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1754559915_686_0_GettyImages-2210416742.jpg\")
Carlos Baleba would be a statement signing for Manchester United.(Image: Mike Hewitt\/Getty Images.)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_MUFC-XI.png\")
Manchester United’s dream XI for 2025\/26.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1754407753_378_0_manchester-united-pre-season-guide-2025-26-4863-1-p.jpg\")
KICK OFF – Man United pre-season guide 2025\/26<\/p>\n