Manchester United’s Attacking Renaissance & the Carlos Baleba Factor: A Title Contention Blueprint

"We were the better team, but in the end if you don’t score goals, you can’t win matches." That was Ruben Amorim’s assessment of Manchester United‘s defeat in the الدوري الأوروبي final to توتنهام. He declined, however, to state whether the Pope was Catholic or whether bears tend to go to the bathroom in woods.

But while the coach was stating the obvious, he was also underlining United’s biggest problem, and this summer the club have made solving it their biggest priority, spending more than £200 million ($269m) to give Amorim a shiny new front three of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. If United do not manage to seriously improve on their attacking numbers this season then they will only have themselves to blame, and Amorim will have a lot of questions to answer.

Unless something goes terribly wrong, United should score a lot more goals, even if they are unlikely to be a complete team ready to take on ليفربول, Manchester City and Arsenal in the title race. Their free-spending has not changed the fact that they are still lacking balance and are particularly ill-equipped in midfield, arguably the most important area of all.

The club can, though, address that issue by signing Carlos Baleba from Brighton. The move would take the club’s spending to a colossal £300m ($404.5m), but it would also be a game-changing transfer that could actually turn Amorim’s side into Premier League title contenders. And if they are serious about returning to the elite, they need to make it happen.

“We were the better team, but in the end if you don’t score goals, you can’t win matches.” That was Ruben Amorim’s assessment of Manchester United‘s defeat in the Europa League final to Tottenham. He declined, however, to state whether the Pope was Catholic or whether bears tend to go to the bathroom in woods.

But while the coach was stating the obvious, he was also underlining United’s biggest problem, and this summer the club have made solving it their biggest priority, spending more than £200 million ($269m) to give Amorim a shiny new front three of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. If United do not manage to seriously improve on their attacking numbers this season then they will only have themselves to blame, and Amorim will have a lot of questions to answer.

Unless something goes terribly wrong, United should score a lot more goals, even if they are unlikely to be a complete team ready to take on Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal in the title race. Their free-spending has not changed the fact that they are still lacking balance and are particularly ill-equipped in midfield, arguably the most important area of all.

The club can, though, address that issue by signing Carlos Baleba from Brighton. The move would take the club’s spending to a colossal £300m ($404.5m), but it would also be a game-changing transfer that could actually turn Amorim’s side into Premier League title contenders. And if they are serious about returning to the elite, they need to make it happen.

United actually scored plenty of goals in their run to last season’s Europa League final, their 35 strikes making them the third-highest scoring team in the competition’s history. The fact that they failed to score against Premier League opposition in Spurs, though, was no real surprise; they have struggled to make the net bulge in the domestic competition for some time, even when things are going well.

The Red Devils struck a meagre 44 times in the 2024-25 Premier League, earning them the fifth-lowest goal count in the league. It was the least amount of goals they had scored in the Premier League era and the lowest since they were relegated in 1974. But it was not exactly an anomaly. They scored just 57 goals in 2023-24, the joint-ninth-highest in the league, and even when they finished third in 2022-23 they scored only 58 times, the joint-eighth-best tally in the league along with Brentford.

United have not scored more than 60 goals in a league season since 2020-21, and heir tally from that campaign, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s last complete season and one played almost entirely without fans, is the only time they have breached the 70-goal mark since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. By contrast, they only failed to score 70 goals or more in one of the Scot’s final eight seasons in charge, and they still managed to win the title that year.

Ferguson’s last season in charge also marked the last time that a United player scored 20 Premier League goals, and the club are hoping that Mbeumo will be able to break that 12-year cycle after netting 20 times for Brentford last term. Cunha, meanwhile, struck 15 goals for Wolves even though they were fighting relegation for much of the campaign.

Those two التحويلات met Amorim’s criteria of signing players with proven track records in the Premier League, and although Sesko does not have that same experience of English football, he has been the most prolific player under the age of 23 in Europe’s top-five leagues over the past two seasons. With Mbeumo and Cunha next to him, as well as Bruno Fernandes and عماد Diallo joining attacks to add further support, there is no reason why Sesko cannot replicate his goal feats for آر بي لايبزيغ in a red shirt.

Having prolific scorers will make a huge difference to United as they didn’t actually struggle to create chances last season, despite all their problems. Amorim’s side ranked sixth in chances created while Fernandes created more goal-scoring opportunities per game than any other player in the top-flight.

But while the attacking issues seems to have been solved, United still have big problems in midfield. Amorim wasn’t shy about saying so following the team’s first pre-season game of the summer against Leeds, when he lamented: “We had a lack of pace, especially in the middle of the park.”

Indeed, none of United’s midfielders really scream ‘athleticism’. Casemiro has struggled with the Premier League’s intensity for the last two seasons while Kobbie Mainoo stands out for his technical ability rather than his physical prowess. The same is true of Fernandes, even though the captain is remarkably durable and almost never misses matches through injury. Toby Collyer, who played a handful of matches last season after breaking through from the academy, is very much a work in progress.

Manuel Ugarte, meanwhile, is impressive physically and is probably United’s most reliable winner of the ball, but his deficiencies in possession are becoming ever more concerning. His passing is sloppy and he has a tendency to get mugged in dangerous areas, such as when a giveaway led to إيفرتون scoring in the club’s final game of their tour of the United States.

It says a lot that despite Amorim working with Ugarte at Sporting CP, he left him out of the team for the Europa League final. The coach has also not been convinced by Mainoo and played him in a variety of positions before he picked up an injury in February, while he only called on the England international sparingly after he returned.

Baleba, however, has the perfect blend of physical power and technical quality that United’s current midfield lacks. The Brighton ma has been working on his physique ever since he was 10 years old, when he would do ‘non-stop’ running drills with his father which would last for two hours. He would also sprint between truck tyres to improve his agility, and would often land on the tyres with a summersault, something which he has incorporated into his goal celebrations.

Baleba told The Guardian: “It’s my dad. He said that if I learn how to do acrobatics then it will help my timing when I’m trying to read the ball or score a header. I would run up to a tyre and then jump on to it with either a front or back flip. It’s easy for me!”

Baleba was signed by Brighton in 2023 with a daunting remit to effectively replace Moises Caicedo after the Ecuadorian’s £115m move to Chelsea. The Seagulls paid £23m to sign him from Lille despite him having only made 21 appearances for the French side, where he played alongside United defender Leny Yoro. He failed to initially secure a regular place in Roberto De Zerbi’s starting XI either, despite the Italian describing Baleba as being “the future of Brighton”.

De Zerbi’s successor, Fabian Hurzeler, trusted Baleba far, so much so that last season only Jan Paul van Hecke and Bart Verbruggen played more Premier League minutes for the Seagulls than the 21-year-old. Baleba’s influence was clear when he was on the pitch, but even more so when he was unavailable. For example, the Seagulls’ 7-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest was one of the most shocking results of last season, and it came when Baleba was suspended. He subsequently returned to inspire Brighton to back-to-back victories over Chelsea, a 2-1 comeback win in the FA Cup and a 3-0 thrashing in the league.

“We all know that Carlos has an impact on our game because of his physicality and his quality in possession and he proved it in an impressive way,” was how Hurzeler reacted to Baleba’s performances against the Blues. “He played very mature and we are happy to have him back.”

Baleba also earned plaudits for his performance in Brighton’s comeback win over Manchester City in November. He began the game on the bench, but came on at half-time with his side trailing and produced an all-action display that demonstrated an array of qualities. He danced through Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva just outside his own area and then glided past Mateo Kovacic; he dispossessed إيرلينج هالاند, Kevin De Bruyne, Foden and Kovacic; he set up a one-on-one chance for Kaoru Mitoma with a through ball, and although إيدرسون saved on that occasion, Baleba later produced a line-breaking pass which led to Matt O’Riley scoring the winning goal.

United fans will also remember his excellent performance in their 3-1 home defeat to Brighton in January. On that occasion, Baleba dropped between Brighton’s centre-backs and played a through-ball which Mitoma chased and crossed for Yankuba Minteh to break the deadlock in the fifth minute. After the match, Amorim was so furious with his players that he smashed a television in the changing room, but Baleba had been Brighton’s standout player. He dominated both Mainoo and Ugarte, who were both withdrawn midway through the second half.

Baleba is a complete midfielder. He was among the top 25 percent of all Premier League midfielders for success rates in tackling, dribbling and aerial duels last term, while he ranked seventh among his fellow U23 players in Europe’s top five leagues for retaining possession under pressure, often referred to as being ‘press resistant’.

In other words, he has all the attributes needed for Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, which places extra demands on the two central midfielders. Indeed, the uniqueness of the coach’s system explains why Mainoo, who was outstanding for England at Euro 2024 and a crucial member of Erik ten Hag’s side, has struggled to impress the Portuguese.

Baleba would certainly be a perfect fit for United in the eyes of Rio Ferdinand: “I think he’ll have a huge impact on this squad, on this team. You free up a few people in that midfield area as well to have a little less responsibility defensively because I think he’s all-action. He can do it all.”

Ferdinand’s words came before United had signed Sesko, but he believed that getting Baleba was a bigger priority than the Slovenia striker. Now that United have added Sesko to complete their attack, it is only right that they address their biggest remaining problem and take their midfield to the next level.

Baleba will not be cheap, with Brighton currently valuing him at around £100m ($135m). However, his price is only going to climb, and this time next year he could be out of United’s reach. The Red Devils have spent a lot already this summer, but they have the financial capacity to sign Baleba as they have a credit facility that allows them to borrow up to £140m. Their financial situation is also expected to improve soon when they sell Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea, while offloading Jadon Sancho and أنطوني could generate more funds.

It is no exaggeration to say that signing Baleba could turn United into genuine title contenders. Unlike Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal, the Red Devils will have no European football to distract them this season, and playing just once per week will make them fitter than their rivals and less likely to pick up injuries. Leicester City famously won the 2015-16 title thanks in part to not playing European football, and Chelsea did the same a year later.

There are several other notable parallels between that Chelsea and this United team: The Blues, interestingly, had endured an awful previous campaign, finishing 10th after being close to the relegation zone before sacking Jose Mourinho in December, only to then go on and win the league just a year later under Antonio Conte, who played the same 3-4-3 formation Amorim has made his hallmark.

Most importantly of all, though, Chelsea signed one of the best midfielders in the league in N’Golo Kante after the Frenchman had inspired Leicester to their miraculous title win. Baleba could be United’s version of Kante: The midfielder who completes Amorim’s puzzle and turns his side from a disaster to title winners in just one year.

Manchester United’s Attacking Renaissance & the Carlos Baleba Factor: A Title Contention Blueprint

For years, Manchester United fans have lamented a lack of consistent attacking threat. While individual brilliance occasionally shone through, a cohesive, potent forward line felt like a distant memory. However, the 2023/24 season is witnessing a significant shift. A revitalized attack, spearheaded by new signings like Rasmus Hojlund and crucially underpinned by the midfield dynamism of Carlos Baleba, is offering genuine hope for a sustained Premier League title challenge. This article delves into the factors driving this Manchester United attack, focusing on the Carlos Baleba impact and outlining a potential blueprint for success.

The Hojlund Catalyst & Tactical Flexibility

The arrival of Rasmus Hojlund was met with both excitement and scrutiny. A young, raw talent, he wasn’t expected to be an instant fix. Yet, his impact has been profound. Hojlund’s pace, direct running, and willingness to press have stretched defenses, creating space for others. More importantly, he provides a focal point that United have lacked since the departure of Romelu Lukaku. Erik ten Hag has demonstrated tactical flexibility, utilizing Hojlund in various formations – from a lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 to partnering with Marcus Rashford in a more fluid 4-3-3. This adaptability is key to unlocking different opponent’s defenses.

• Hojlund’s speed forces defenders to retreat, opening up passing lanes.
• Pressing Intensity: His work rate off the ball disrupts opposition build-up play.
• Clinical Finishing (Developing): While still improving, Hojlund shows promising signs in front of goal.

The Unsung Hero: Carlos Baleba’s Midfield Mastery

While Hojlund grabs the headlines, the true engine driving this attacking renaissance is arguably Carlos Baleba. Signed from Lille, Baleba has quickly become indispensable. His arrival addressed a critical weakness in United’s midfield: a lack of defensive solidity *and* progressive passing ability. Baleba isn’t just a destroyer of play; he’s a distributor, capable of breaking lines with accurate passes and initiating quick transitions. He allows Bruno Fernandes more freedom to operate in advanced areas, knowing he has a reliable shield behind him.

Baleba’s Key Attributes & Statistical Impact

Baleba’s influence extends beyond simply winning the ball back. He excels at:

• Consistently breaks up opposition attacks.
• Progressive Passing: Moves the ball forward with intent, creating attacking opportunities.
• Defensive Positioning: Reads the game exceptionally well, covering space and protecting the back four.
• Ball Recovery: Quick to react and win back possession.

Here’s a simplified look at his impact compared to previous midfield options:

Synergy & Supporting Cast: Rashford, Fernandes & Beyond

The Hojlund-Baleba combination isn’t operating in isolation. Marcus Rashford, while inconsistent, remains a potent threat when in form. Bruno Fernandes continues to be the creative heartbeat of the team, benefiting from Baleba’s presence allowing him to focus on attacking contributions. Alejandro Garnacho’s pace and trickery add another dimension to the attack. The key is the synergy between these players – a fluidity and understanding that was previously lacking.

Addressing Remaining Weaknesses for a Title Push

Despite the improvements, مانشستر يونايتد still have areas to address if they are to mount a serious title challenge.

• Defensive Consistency: Individual errors continue to plague the defense.
• Clinical Finishing (Across the Board): Converting chances remains a problem, particularly for Rashford.
• Squad Depth: Injuries to key players could derail their progress.
• Midfield Alternatives: Having reliable backup options for Baleba is crucial.

First-Hand Observations: Watching the Transformation

Attending recent مانشستر يونايتد matches, the change in tempo and intensity is palpable. The midfield feels more secure, allowing the attackers to express themselves with greater freedom. Baleba’s influence is visible in every game – his tireless work rate, intelligent positioning, and accurate passing. The team appears more confident, more cohesive, and more capable of breaking down stubborn defenses. The atmosphere at Old Trafford has noticeably lifted, fueled by the promise of a genuine title bid.

Benefits of the New System & Practical Tips for Ten Hag

The benefits of this revamped system are clear: a more balanced team, a more potent attack, and a more confident squad. For Erik ten Hag, the following practical tips could further enhance their chances:

• Rotation Management: Carefully manage player fatigue, particularly in key positions.
• Set-Piece Improvement: Address the team’s vulnerability from set-pieces.
• Continued Tactical Flexibility: Adapt the formation based on the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.
• Foster Competition: Maintain a competitive environment within the squad to keep players motivated.