Baleba’s attraction lies much less in creativity and extra in his potential to win possession, cowl floor after which carry his workforce ahead.
His 2025-26 marketing campaign was quieter than the earlier one, however his 2024-25 numbers present why United have tracked him for thus lengthy. He ranked fourth amongst Premier League midfielders for possessions received within the center third (107) and interceptions (46), was fifth for ball recoveries (197) and seventh for duels received (199).
That defensive output was matched by his potential to progress possession himself.
Baleba averaged 6.7 progressive carries per 90 minutes, with solely three qualifying Premier League defensive midfielders recording extra, whereas 2.9 of these carries travelled a minimum of 10 metres.
His athleticism underpins that sport as he reached a high pace of 34.5km/h in 2024-25, in contrast with 30.5km/h for Casemiro, and averaged 8.2 defensive actions per 90.
He’s not essentially the midfielder United would depend on to dictate possession. Solely 11.8% of his passes had been classed as line-breaking that season and 22.7% travelled ahead – each under the typical for central and defensive midfielders.
However that will make him complementary to United’s different choices moderately than a direct various. Tielemans can present extra of the progressive distribution, whereas Baleba gives defensive safety and the flexibility to drive via midfield.
Alongside Kobbie Mainoo, he may tackle extra of the ball-winning and ground-covering work, whereas a partnership with Santos may enable Baleba larger freedom to function field to field.
That versatility is mirrored in his positioning as he spent 88% of his minutes final season as a defensive midfielder and 12% in central midfield, suggesting he can anchor the facet or step ahead relying on who performs alongside him.
United mostly defended in a 4-2-2-2 final season below Carrick, accounting for 55.9% of their out-of-possession shapes. Baleba’s dynamism could possibly be particularly priceless in a system the place central midfielders are requested to defend giant areas and cease counter-attacks.
There could, nevertheless, be an adaptation interval.
Baleba is recovering from an ankle ligament damage suffered in pre-season and can want time to recuperate his match sharpness.
United have additionally appeared to spend longer spells in possession below Carrick, progressing via midfield with fast combos. Baleba’s sport is best suited to extra open contests, however his passing profile suggests he might have time to regulate to larger accountability in build-up.
His left foot and mobility ought to nonetheless make him a pure associate for gamers resembling Tielemans or Bruno Fernandes. There’s growth forward of him at 22, not least after final season’s dip, however at his finest Baleba combines defensive exercise with the acceleration and carrying energy to rework a turnover into an assault inside seconds.
