The Casemiro role has a new occupant. Manchester United confirmed the signing of Carlos Baleba on Tuesday, closing out a summer in which the club have spent roughly £155m on three central midfielders and lost their opening Premier League match 2-0 at newly promoted Hull City.
Baleba, 21, has joined on a five-year contract with a further one-year option. Sky Sports puts the fee at £65m guaranteed plus £5m in add-ons.
He will not be available straight away. The Cameroon international is nursing an ankle problem picked up in pre-season with Brighton and is not expected back until mid-September, which rules him out of Michael Carrick’s next Premier League fixture, the derby against Manchester City on 13 September.
Wilcox calls him ‘elite’
Jason Wilcox, United’s director of football, framed the deal in emphatic terms.
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“Carlos is an elite midfielder with immense potential to develop further. He brings a unique combination of qualities that will really complement our squad,” Wilcox said.
Baleba is the third midfielder recruited this summer, after Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. Between them the trio have cost around £155m, most of it aimed at the defensive slot vacated by Casemiro.
Cast in the Casemiro role
The comparison has been made inside Old Trafford as well as outside it. GiveMeSport reported that United’s management viewed Baleba as the “new Casemiro”, pointing to a Premier League profile last season of 102 duels won, 37 tackles and 29 interceptions, a destroyer’s return sheet that neither Santos nor Tielemans matches.
Baleba made 112 appearances in three seasons with Brighton.
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Ajayi and Mendy exposed United at Hull
The signing lands at a nervous moment. United lost 2-0 at Hull City on 22 August, undone by first-half goals from Semi Ajayi (17′) and Nobel Mendy (38′) as the newly promoted Tigers claimed their first ever Premier League win over the club.
Carrick admitted his side had made life difficult for itself.
“We’re bitterly disappointed with the result, but we won’t let it knock us,” the head coach said.
Bruno Fernandes was blunter.
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“Same mistakes as we did last season, every away game we give too much of the ball to them,” the captain said.
Baleba embraces the ‘dream’ move
The 21-year-old, who has 16 caps for Cameroon, leaned on the emotional pull of a move he has been linked with for more than a year.
“It is an incredible feeling to join the club of my dreams. Playing at Old Trafford is always special but the opportunity to do so as a Manchester United player will be a real honour,” Baleba said.
He also singled out his new coach.
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“I cannot wait to work with Michael Carrick; his experience and knowledge of the game make him the perfect coach to help me reach the highest level.”
Baleba’s contract at Old Trafford runs to 2031, with the club holding a further one-year option. His first chance of a competitive debut is expected in the second half of September.
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