Manchester United did not spend £65 million to buy another superstar. They spent it to fix the problem that has haunted them for more than a decade.tieleman
For years, Old Trafford has searched for the successor to Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick — midfielders who controlled games, protected defenders and gave Manchester United an identity.
Instead, the club entered a cycle of expensive mistakes, temporary solutions and ageing profiles.
Now, under Michael Carrick, United are attempting something different.
They are not chasing headlines.
They are rebuilding the engine room.
The arrival of Carlos Baleba from Brighton in a deal worth around £65 million represents more than a transfer. It represents a statement of philosophy: Manchester United believe their return to the top begins in midfield.
But history has taught United fans one painful lesson:
Big-money midfield signings do not guarantee success.
The question is not whether Baleba is talented.
The question is whether Carrick has finally designed a system where talent can succeed.
The Biggest Problem Carrick Inherited: United Lost Control of Matches
Manchester United’s decline after Sir Alex Ferguson has often been explained through managers, tactics and recruitment mistakes.
But underneath all those issues was one fundamental weakness:
United stopped controlling football matches.
The greatest Manchester United teams were built around midfield dominance.
Roy Keane provided leadership.
Paul Scholes controlled rhythm.
Michael Carrick dictated tempo.
These players allowed United to decide when games accelerated and when they slowed down.
Modern football has made midfield control even more important.
Elite teams today require midfielders who can:
- resist pressing,
- progress the ball,
- recover possession quickly,
- cover defensive spaces,
- create numerical advantages.
United’s midfield frequently failed in these areas.
The decline of Casemiro accelerated the problem. While the Brazilian midfielder delivered important moments, his physical decline exposed a lack of mobility in transition.
The club needed a reset.
Carrick’s solution was not one signing.
It was a complete reconstruction.
Carrick’s Three-Man Revolution: Tielemans, Santos and Baleba
1. Carlos Baleba: The Athletic Destroyer United Have Been Missing
Carlos Baleba is the most expensive piece of Carrick’s midfield puzzle.
At 22 years old, the Cameroon international represents a modern defensive midfielder.
Unlike traditional number six players who mainly protect the defence, Baleba offers:
- aggressive ball recovery,
- explosive acceleration,
- physical dominance,
- progressive passing.
His biggest value comes during transitions.
Manchester United have often struggled when losing possession because opponents could attack open spaces quickly.
Baleba changes that.
His ability to cover large areas allows United’s attacking players more freedom.
In tactical terms, he gives Carrick the possibility of playing with:
- higher defensive lines,
- more aggressive pressing,
- more attacking full-backs.
The £65 million investment is therefore not simply paying for a player.
United are paying for tactical freedom.
2. Youri Tielemans: Experience and Technical Control
While Baleba brings energy, Tielemans provides intelligence.
The Belgian midfielder arrived from Aston Villa for approximately £35 million.
His strengths:
- passing range,
- set-piece ability,
- positional awareness,
- experience in Premier League football.
Tielemans represents something United have lacked:
A midfielder comfortable controlling the tempo.
He does not need to dominate physically.
He influences matches through decisions.
The combination becomes interesting:
Baleba wins the ball.
Tielemans controls the ball.
Together, they solve two different problems.
3. Andrey Santos: The Long-Term Investment
The signing of Andrey Santos from Chelsea was considered one of the more surprising moves of the summer.
United invested around £48 million plus possible add-ons for the Brazilian midfielder.
The logic behind the deal is clear.
United are thinking beyond one season.
Santos brings:
- technical quality,
- defensive discipline,
- physical development potential.
The club believes he can become part of the next generation alongside Kobbie Mainoo.
The Carrick Blueprint: Why Midfield Comes First
Michael Carrick was not a flashy footballer.
He was a controller.
That identity is now appearing in his managerial approach.
Carrick’s United are expected to prioritise:
1. Building from midfield
Instead of relying only on individual brilliance, United want structured possession.
The midfield must create the platform.
2. Faster transitions
Premier League football punishes slow reactions.
Baleba’s athleticism gives United protection after losing possession.
3. More freedom for attacking players
A stable midfield allows Bruno Fernandes and United’s forwards to take more risks.
This is the same principle used by Europe’s best teams.
Before attackers shine, midfielders create security.
The Financial Gamble: Is £65M Too Much?
Whenever Manchester United spend big money, the debate immediately begins.
Is the player worth the fee?
Or is United paying a premium because of their status?
The Baleba deal carries risk.
A £65 million midfielder must eventually become a difference-maker.
However, United’s previous mistakes often came from buying players without a clear tactical role.
Baleba is different.
The club has identified a specific weakness.
The investment is connected to a football idea.
That matters.
A £65 million player without a plan becomes a burden.
A £65 million player inside the right system becomes an asset.
Why Carrick’s Biggest Challenge Is Not Transfers — It Is Expectations
Manchester United supporters are patient with rebuilding projects only for a limited period.
The club has spent years rebuilding.
David Moyes.
Louis van Gaal.
José Mourinho.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Erik ten Hag.
Ruben Amorim.
Each era promised renewal.
Each era eventually faced the same question:
Why are Manchester United still not competing for titles?
SEE ALSO; Why Transfer Rumours Attract Millions of Football Fans
Carrick has one advantage:
He understands the club.
He understands midfield.
He understands what elite Manchester United football historically looked like.
But nostalgia does not win trophies.
Results do.
The Bigger Picture: Can This Become Manchester United’s Next Great Team?
The Baleba transfer is not about one season.
It is about creating a foundation.
Manchester City built around Rodri.
Liverpool built around Fabinho.
Real Madrid rebuilt around Kroos, Modrić and Casemiro.
Modern champions usually have elite midfield structures.
Carrick knows this better than anyone.
The former United midfielder is effectively attempting to rebuild the team from the exact position where he once controlled matches himself.
That makes this project fascinating.
Conclusion: Manchester United’s Future Will Be Decided in Midfield
The £65 million Carlos Baleba gamble represents the most important decision of Michael Carrick’s Manchester United career so far.
It is not simply a transfer.
It is a test of philosophy.
If Baleba, Tielemans and Santos transform United’s midfield, Carrick may finally give the club the stability it has searched for since Ferguson.
But if the system fails, the criticism will return quickly.
Manchester United are not judged like normal clubs.
They are judged against their own history.
And that history was built by midfielders who controlled everything.
Now Carrick is trying to create the next generation.
Can he build the midfield that finally takes United back to the top? Share your thoughts with The Football Xtra.
