Peter Schmeichel says Premier League star would be ‘top signing’ for Man Utd

Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has encouraged the club to reignite their move for Carlos Baleba after missing out on the midfielder in the summer.

The Red Devils prioritised overhauling their misfiring attack ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko all signing on the dotted line for a combined fee of around £200million.

Old Trafford bosses had also been keen to bring in a combative midfielder to suit Ruben Amorim’s much-maligned 3-4-3 system, identifying Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Brighton’s Baleba as potential targets.

The Seagulls have since confirmed United’s interest in signing Baleba on the back of an exceptional season for the 22-year-old Cameroon international last term at the Amex Stadium.

But according to Brighton CEO Tony Bloom, United simply ‘went away’ when informed that Baleba would not be sold unless an astronomical fee was offered for the former Lille man.

Despite Amorim’s departure as head coach, United remain in the hunt for a midfielder of Baleba’s profile – and the likes of Joao Gomes and Ruben Neves have also been linked throughout the January transfer window.

‘It really is important that Manchester United strengthen in that area,’ Schmeichel told Sky Bet of United’s search for reinforcements in central midfield.

‘What we saw on Saturday was really encouraging. Casemiro was better than he’s been in a long time, because the responsibility in that part of the pitch was shared between him and Kobbie Mainoo.

‘The understanding between them was much better – and it helps that they’re both very good footballers. It worked brilliantly for the team, and it was great to see. 

‘But it’s still an area you need to improve. Because if we do get into the Champions League, you’re adding at least another ten games to the schedule. That means you need more players – and you need more quality players.’

Schmeichel fears the Red Devils may have missed a ‘real opportunity’ to prise the ‘fantastic’ Baleba away from Brighton last summer.

‘Names are being mentioned now. I like Carlos Baleba,’ the legendary ex-United and Denmark goalkeeper added.

‘I thought he might come in the summer and I felt there was a real opportunity for that. He’s a fantastic player.

‘But if you can bring in anyone with the quality of those players, that’s a positive step for Manchester United. And I hope that’s exactly what they’re looking at.’

Speaking ahead of Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign, Baleba admitted speculation linking him with a big-money move may have resulted in him putting ‘too much pressure’ on himself.

‘I don’t think it affected me. But I had a lot of pressure on me,’ he said.

‘When I started the season, I wanted to [have] the same performances as last season. Every day I try to work hard and to get [back] to my level.

‘Did I put too much pressure on myself? Yes, I think so, but I think that’s good.’

Kobbie Mainoo’s future was thrown into serious doubt under Amorim, with rumours swirling that the England midfielder, a product of United’s academy, could be on his way out of the Theatre of Dreams this winter.

But Amorim’s dismissal and the return of Michael Carrick as interim head coach appears to have handed Mainoo a lifeline – and the 20-year-old has started United’s last two matches against Brighton and Manchester City.

Mainoo’s resurgence is unlikely to affect United’s plans to strengthen at the base of the midfield, though, with Carrick viewing the youngster as ‘more of an attacker’.

‘I think he’s more of an attacker. I don’t see him as a holding midfielder,’ Carrick said on an episode of Rio Meets last summer.

‘He’s probably that line above with that little bit more freedom. I think there are different ways of defending.

You can defend on that higher line a little bit but defending right deep around your centre back is a bit of a different thing.

‘I’ve seen him playing a little bit higher with that freedom and create and take the ball. I think he’s got a massive future.

‘I really like him, I think he just needs a bit of patience and that little bit of break again, which I’m sure he’ll get.’

Carrick added: ‘He’s got it and he’s shown that.

‘It’s a breath of fresh air the way he takes the ball and plays forward and commits people, can play, can dribble, can pass.

‘That doesn’t leave you and I think it’s just waves that can come and go with time. I’ve seen it so many times.’

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