Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has expressed his admiration for the club's strategic signing of midfielder Carlos Baleba during the summer transfer window. The 22-year-old Cameroonian has been on United's radar for some time, having been linked with a move to Old Trafford as far back as last year.
Initially, Baleba was a target for the Red Devils in 2025, but negotiations fell through when Brighton & Hove Albion set a hefty asking price of over £115 million. Despite his impressive performances in the 2024/25 season, where he established himself as one of the Premier League's top defensive midfielders, United opted to hold off on the deal due to Brighton's demands.
During the previous season, Baleba faced challenges that may have stemmed from the ongoing speculation regarding his future. Nevertheless, Manchester United remained confident in his abilities and eventually secured his services this summer for a reported fee of £70 million, a significant reduction compared to Brighton's earlier valuation. Ferdinand believes that the club's patience in this matter has been justified.
In a recent discussion on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand highlighted the financial constraints that limited Manchester United's spending during the summer transfer window. He remarked, "Man United, there’s no doubt in my mind they were in for (Elliot) Anderson, but there was a limit to the price they could pay." His comments underscore the challenges the club faced in the transfer market, particularly when competing against financially robust rivals like Manchester City.
Ferdinand elaborated on the necessity for United to bolster their squad, especially with the added demands of participating in the Champions League this season. He stated, "They needed numbers in there to cover for the big games, the more games that they’re going to have this season because they’re in the Champions League. So you need cover. You need more bodies in there."
While United had their eyes on several players, including Anderson, who ultimately signed with Manchester City for £116 million, and Mateus Fernandes, who moved to Tottenham Hotspur for around £85 million, they managed to secure Baleba along with Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans for a combined total of just over £150 million.
Ferdinand believes that although Baleba and Santos may not have been the primary targets, their potential to enhance the squad is undeniable. He noted, "Two players that are more about potential in this midfield but still have Premier League experience in Baleba and Andrey Santos. All right, yes, (they) wouldn’t have been on the probably the top two or three in their list, but Baleba, you know, he’s got potential." He further emphasized Baleba's past valuation of £100 million, indicating that the midfielder possesses significant talent and skill.
Currently, Baleba is recovering from an ankle injury but is expected to return to full fitness by the end of the month. His signing has generated excitement among Manchester United fans, as many believe he has the attributes necessary to succeed Casemiro and become a key figure in manager Michael Carrick's midfield setup.
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