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(Credit: Imago)
Jack Heath
Fri 8 August 2025 17:00, UK
Carlos Baleba is looking increasingly unlikely to go to Man United but data presents the Red Devils with three other potential replacements.
Ruben Amorim is continuing to overhaul his squad as he bids to return the red half of Manchester to Europe in his first full season in charge.
The Portuguese has already revamped his frontline, which includes the expected signing of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.
United have also been in the hunt for Brighton’s wonderkid Baleba with the south coast side not budging on any approaches made by the Red Devils.
Man United made contact with Baleba and Brighton but the club have made it clear he is not up for sale.
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The Seagulls are eager to hold on to the Cameroonian
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In need of injecting the midfield with some new players, Football Insider has considered three alternatives Amorim should go after, courtesy of data from FBRef.
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Following the signing of Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich on a season-long loan, doubts have been placed over the future of the Uruguayan.
(Credit: Getty Images)
A mainstay in Ange Postecoglou’s side, now under a new manager it remains to be seen if the number 30 will retain his starting place.
Palhinha is known for being one of the best tacklers in the league during his time with Fulham and his arrival will shift the South American out of the defensive-midfield role.
The former Juventus man was tasked with cutting out passes under the Australian, averaging 2.19 interceptions per-90, higher than Baleba (1.55).
With just one year left on his contract, a move for the Tottenham workhorse could be a sensible move for a box-to-box midfielder with English top-flight experience.
Appearances (starts)Minutes playedGoalsInterceptions per-90Clearances per-90Tackles per-9026 (21)1,64522.192.082.19Rodrigo Bentancur 2024-25 all competitions
After his arrival from Wolfsburg for the 2023-24 season, the German has taken like a duck to water in Dortmund.
The 24-year-old has gradually increased his playing time, becoming a key part of the Bundesliga outfit’s midfield as their metronome.
Of particular note is the former Man City academy product’s passing range with the central midfielder wielding a 87.9% passing accuracy last time out.
The number eight also now has to contend with the presence of Jobe Bellingham after he left Sunderland earlier this summer.
Competition for the Germany international may push him to explore alternative options and the Red Devils could swoop in to pick up an intriguing long-term prospect for Amorim’s “project”.
The arrival of another Bellingham brother plunges Nmecha’s starting role into doubt (Credit: Hasan Karim – Breaking Media)
Now, we all know that Sir Jim Ratcliffe loves to cut back to save funds and he is likely sweating over this summer’s huge spend.
Well Mr Ratcliffe I have just the solution for you, look no further than free agent Aholou who can be snapped up for nothing!
The Ivorian has had a rich array of experience playing in the French top-flight and closely rivals some of Baleba’s stats.
His 2.57 tackles per-90 is just shy of the Cameroonian’s 2.67, yet the former Monaco man eclipses his fellow African in tackles won (1.65 per-90 v 1.55 per-90).
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Moreover, the 31-year-old won 62.3% of his aerial duels last season, higher than Baleba’s 60.0%, highlighting his strength in the air.
He emanates the same physical presence the Brighton man offers and should be considered as a potential reserve choice.
Indeed, he is perhaps a bit too old given Amorim will want to target younger players, but with his experience, even bringing him in on a two-year-deal could be a smart play to use as a squad player.
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