Manchester United decide to sign Valeba as third midfielder
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Carlos Valleba plays for Brighton and is attracting attention for his quick movement ability and box-to-box style of play. If his signing is completed, United will be able to add depth to its midfield and secure various tactical options.
Why it's important
Manchester United's midfield reorganization is an important factor in increasing its competitiveness in the Premier League. If the signing of Carlos Valleba goes through, United will have more diverse tactical options and the outlook for the season will brighten. In particular, the addition of a midfielder with the box-to-box style that coach Carrick wants can contribute to improving the team's overall performance.
Key takeaways
- Manchester United decides to sign Valeba as third midfielder.
- Negotiations are underway for Manchester United to sign Carlos Valleba as a third midfielder.
- Man Utd's decision to make Baleba their 'third midfielder'.
Manchester United's midfield reorganization is nearing completion. After signing Andre Santos from Chelsea and Youri Thiremans from Aston Villa last month, the search for a third midfielder has been confusing for some time. Real Madrid's Aurélien Chouameni, Bornhams' Alex Scott, and Roma's Manu Kone have been mentioned as candidates, and recently, the names of Fulham's Sander Berge and Bornhams' Tyler Adams have also been mentioned. United have tried internally to downplay their interest in Brighton's Carlos Valleba, but in reality they have no need for him. This is because most of the work was already done a year ago. The first offer has now been made and is for £60 million plus a further £5 million. Although this is expected to be insufficient, negotiations are continuing and the transfer is expected to go through. Although it is difficult to assess the actual impact of the transfer in practice, it can be acknowledged that United's data and scouting team have succeeded in reshaping Michael Carrick's midfield. It was already known in January that veteran Brazilian Casemiro's contract would expire on June 30, while the departure of Ruben Amorim led to skipper Bruno Fernandes moving into a more attacking role. Going into the summer, United expected Kobe Maynou to be their only experienced midfielder to play a major role in the 2026-27 season. Maynou's strength is his ability to receive the ball in tight spaces and advance. Santos did an excellent job protecting the defense in pre-season, while Tiremans has stability, excellent passing ability, and a strong will to score more goals.  What was revealed in the game against AC Milan was a lack of energy. The point was that one player with a box-to-box style was needed. The main strength of the ballet barre is its ability to move quickly. If the move goes through, and Valeba recovers from a pre-season ankle injury, Carrick will have a number of options. This includes Maynou, Scotland World Cup squad member Tyler Fletcher and, in extreme circumstances, Fernandes. Valeba's situation also reveals a strategic shift. In the past, United have lagged behind on the players they want and have taken a long time to complete transfers. The case of Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong is an example. Their work is progressing more quietly this summer. The Santos transfer was completed in less than a week, and Tiremans was completed even faster. There was some consideration that Mayaunt could be a 'third midfielder', but he has still not returned after suffering an injury early in the pre-season. Valeba appeared to have been excluded as a third midfielder candidate, but with United now making moves, the transfer is expected to be completed quickly. It can be seen that United's recruitment plan is being managed much more systematically than before. Of the four players signed in 2025, only striker Benjamin Cesco and goalkeeper Senne Ramens did not come from Premier League clubs. The ease with which Brian Mbomo and Matheus Cunha have adapted to their new surroundings is likely to have had an impact on United's summer strategy. Cunha and Tiremans had release clauses, Mbomo and Santos did not. The same goes for ballet bars. United appear to believe signing from a Premier League club could be more expensive. “We need more,” Carrick said last week. The ballet barre cannot be the last. It is also clear that a new left-back is needed. It is currently unknown which players will be recruited, but it is certain that there will be new signings.
future outlook
Currently, United are continuing negotiations with Valeba, and it is expected that the transfer will be completed. If Valeba recovers from his pre-season injury, United will be able to form a stronger midfield. This could lead to better performances in Premier League matches and increased influence in important matches during the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the result of Manchester United vs Brighton?
The article makes no mention of the outcome of the match.
What is Manchester United's current league standing?
The article does not provide any information about the current league standings.
When is Manchester United's next game?
There is no information about the next match schedule in the article.
What impact will Carlos Valleba's transfer have on the team?
If Valeba's transfer goes through, United are expected to have a variety of midfield options.
Which midfielder has Manchester United signed?
Manchester United have signed Andre Santos and Youri Tiremans.
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