Over the past two years, Manchester United has demonstrated their ability to spend large sums of money. Since the summer of 2022, they have spent over £800 million on new players.
Erik ten Hag, who had five windows to make the improvements he believed would change the club’s fortunes, was mostly in charge of this investment.
Under the Dutchman’s direction, players like Rasmus Hojlund, Antony, and Casemiro were all acquired; the latter two left the Red Devils in the final moments of the most recent transfer window.
But current manager Ruben Amorim has also spent almost £200 million this window alone to sign Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha.
Such funds are way higher than any supporter would’ve expected, but it may have been an even bigger shopping spree had they completed a deal for Carlos Baleba.
Man Utd’s hunt for Baleba this summer
Adam Wharton was just one name on United’s shortlist of potential Premier League midfield alternatives in an effort to strengthen the department.
However, Amorim’s team made an attempt to sign the Cameroonian international before the 2025–2026 season, making Brighton star Baleba the clear top target.
Although the player himself appeared interested in moving to Old Trafford at one point, the Seagulls were hesitant to let go of the 21-year-old star, therefore the trade never happened.
According to Fabian Hurzeler’s team, they wanted to pay around £100 million to leave Baleba, but the Red Devils couldn’t afford that much given their prior window transactions.
It remains unclear whether the hierarchy will return for his services in 2026, but it’s clear that the board have been targeting added reinforcements in the middle of the park.
However, despite their attempts in the market, United already have a hugely talented player in their ranks – with his recent rise now seeing his value soar over recent months.
The United talent who’s worth more than Baleba
Over the last couple of years, United have changed their focus to signing younger talent to try and lessen the age of the present first-team group.
The average age of the team for the 2025–26 Premier League season is now 25.6, and players are positioned between 17 and 39.
One of the midfield possibilities available to Amorim at the moment is Casemiro, but the 33-year-old Brazilian is nearing the end of his career and urgently needs to be traded soon.
Another player Amorim has at his disposal in that area is young Kobbie Mainoo, although despite his recent on-field achievements, he has dropped in the manager’s hierarchy.
Following his incredible 2023–24 season, which included a late goal against rivals Liverpool and an FA Cup final goal, many fans would have thought the 20-year-old would already be a mainstay in the first team.
The 20-year-old, who colleague Hojlund has called “generational,” only made 25 league games last season, 19 of which were in a starting position. Players like Casemiro are frequently chosen before the academy graduate.
His only start in 2025/26 so far came in the Carabao Cup defeat against Grimsby Town – leading to the player himself asking for a loan spell away from his boyhood side.
| Kobbie Mainoo – PL stats (2024/25) | |
|---|---|
| Statistics (per 90) | Tally |
| Games played | 25 |
| Pass accuracy | 87% |
| Tackles won | 1.6 |
| Interceptions made | 1.1 |
| Blocks made | 0.9 |
| Take-on success | 46% |
| Carries into 18-yard box | 0.6 |
| Recoveries made | 4.8 |
| Tackle success rate | 60% |
| Stats via FBref | |
However, the player had to compete for a spot in the first team squad until at least January because their request was denied right away.
Mainoo’s market value has quickly increased despite his recent inactivity; according to FootballTransfers, the Englishman is currently valued at an incredible £57.8 million.
Such a number is now higher than the worth of Baleba, who’s now valued at just £49.1m by the same site despite his recent valuation by the club in the summer window.
Mainoo is still a young player with a lot of promise, as evidenced by the aforementioned price tags, and Amorim will urgently need to provide him regular playing time in the upcoming months.
He’s already showcased he’s capable of thriving at Old Trafford, but he needs the manager’s backing to do so, which could potentially put a permanent end to their hunt for Baleba.
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