Gary Lineker has backed Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba to ‘make a difference’ to Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United squad should he complete a move to Old Trafford this summer.
United have signaled their intent in the transfer market following their wretched campaign last term, bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko for a combined fee of around £230million.
But the Red Devils are not yet done with their transfer business and have set their sights on Brighton star Baleba on the back of the 21-year-old’s excellent season on the south coast.
Widespread reports last week claimed United had approached Brighton over a proposed deal for Baleba, with a view to making the Cameroon international their fourth first-team addition of the window.
While the Seagulls are in no hurry to part with Baleba, it is thought an offer in the region of £90million – plus £10m in add-ons – could be enough to lure the highly rated youngster head to the Theatre of Dreams.
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Baleba is eager to sign for United and is reportedly ready to ask Brighton to lower their asking price and open the door to a switch. Manchester City have also been credited with a strong interest in the former Lille man in recent days.
‘That would make a difference because he’s got the legs that they need in that kind of area,’ ex-England striker said of United’s links to Baleba on The Rest Is Football podcast.
Despite their big spending this summer, Lineker feels it could be another difficult season for Amorim’s men in the Premier League.
‘We don’t know how good Sesko is going to be in the Premier League, he scored 13 [league] goals last season,’ he added.
‘Mid-table? I see mid-table.
‘They need to improve on last season so I think to get into Europe, and it seems ridiculous saying this about Manchester United, but getting any kind of European football next season would probably be a bonus.’
Micah Richards was slightly more optimistic about United’s hopes in the Premier League, but feels the ‘balance of the team is not right’ based on their performances in pre-season.
‘The only problem I have is the formation,’ the former England and Manchester City defender said.
‘In the pre-season friendly against Fiorentina they went with [Mason] Mount up top as a false nine and Mbeumo to the right and Cunha to the left, [Bruno] Fernandes and Casemiro in midfield, they had [Patrick] Dorgu one side with Diallo the other side.
‘I just think the formation is really hindering them. If they were playing a 4-3-3 I think they could be challenging for the Europa League, but it isn’t going to change.
‘When you watch the clips, Fernandes is a little bit further back and they miss him further forward, creating opportunities.
‘Mbeumo does loads of his best work out wide, but he’s sort of in a number ten position. Cunha works no problem, he can on the left, in the number ten position, but I just think the balance of the team is not right for the players they have.
‘I think 4-3-3 would suit them so well and I think the first five fixtures look really hard as well. It’s just whether that negativity creeps in. I’m going to say they finish in the top six.’
Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time top goalscorer, is confident will United improve on their horror showing last season, but thinks a top-six finish is likely beyond Amorim’s side.
‘Clearly they will improve on last season, they can’t be as bad as that,’ Shearer said.
‘Yeah, they’ve made a couple of good signings, but I think seventh, eighth, ninth, something like that.’
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