‘I Played With Baleba At Brighton – Now Man Utd Have Signed A World Beater’

Manchester United have completed the signing of Carlos Baleba from Brighton in a deal worth up to £70m, and a former teammate has tipped the midfielder to be a huge success. Baleba has joined the Red Devils on a five-year contract with an option for a further 12 months, keeping him at Old Trafford until at least 2031.

The 22-year-old Cameroon international called United his “club of dreams” and described Michael Carrick as the “perfect coach” to help him develop.

"It is an incredible feeling ⁠to join the club of my dreams. Playing ​at Old Trafford is always special, but the opportunity to ​do so as a Manchester United player will be a real honour."

Carlos Baleba Joins Man Utd - Danny Welbeck Backs Him to Become World Beater

Danny Welbeck, who spent time at Brighton before joining Chelsea this summer, told BBC Radio Sussex last season that Baleba is a "top player with world-class potential" and believes he can be "unstoppable" at the highest level:

"He can be unstoppable. If he keeps up with that desire and passion, he can go right to the top. He's got all of the attributes to be a world-beater," Welbeck said of his former teammate.

Welbeck highlighted Baleba’s physicality, energy, and ability to carry the ball from deep as the qualities that make him stand out.

The former United striker is not the only past or present Old Trafford figure to praise Baleba. Captain Bruno Fernandes described the midfielder as “young and exciting” and said the club had been following him for two years.

How Danny Welbeck's Manchester United Career Unfolded

Danny Welbeck joined Manchester United’s academy at eight years old and made his first-team debut in 2008. He went on to score 50 goals in 200 appearances for the club. He was part of United’s 2011 Premier League title-winning squad and scored in the 2011 Community Shield.

He could play across the front line, giving United another versatile attacking option. At United, Welbeck often competed with established strikers for a starting place, which limited his opportunities to play regularly.

Despite the competition, Welbeck remained a committed professional and contributed important goals in domestic and European competitions, earning respect from teammates and fans alike.

He left United for Arsenal in 2014 in search of more regular football, later moving to Watford and Brighton before joining Crystal Palace, where he continues to play at the highest level.

What Carlos Baleba's Arrival Means For Manchester United's Midfield

Baleba’s signing takes United’s spending on midfield additions to £155m, following the arrivals of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos.

Michael Carrick confirmed that Baleba could be out for up to three weeks with an ankle ligament injury, potentially ruling him out of the opening fixtures, the first Champions League match, and the Manchester derby.

Carrick said the injury was not a major concern and that Baleba would return to full training once the ligament heals. Baleba has been given shirt number 20 and was presented to fans before the home match against Ipswich.

He will make his debut once he is fit. Brighton retain a sell-on clause, meaning they could receive a percentage of any future profit if United sell Baleba.