CARLOS BALEBA CONFESSES: MAN UTD RUMORS CAUSED "PRESSURE," NOT DECLINE IN FORM
Manchester United target Carlos Baleba addressed his dip in form, admitting he felt intense pressure to perform, but denied transfer rumors were the root cause.
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Carlos Baleba has spoken out about whether summer rumours of a possible move to Manchester United have affected his play. There was talk that the Cameroon player might head to Old Trafford during the summer transfer window. Ruben Amorim was looking to reinforce his midfield. But United couldn't agree on a fee with Brighton, so the transfer didn't happen.
The Brighton manager thinks the United rumours had an impact on Baleba.
United were busy in the summer, bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko from Wolves, Brentford, and RB Leipzig to strengthen their attack. The Manchester team also signed Senne Lammens from Antwerp to replace Andre Onana, who was inconsistent and moved to Trabzonspor on loan, and Altay Bayindir in goal.
Amorim wanted to sign another central midfielder to support Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, who are the first-choice players. United tried to make a deal with Brighton for Baleba, but Brighton rejected their offer. They thought the price for the former Lille player, around £100 million ($134m), was too high, and no deal was reached.
Brighton has had a good start to the season. Baleba hasn't played as well as he did last season. Last month, coach Fabian Hurzeler asked for the rumours about the midfielder and United to stop so the player could focus on football.
Hurzeler said, It's about playing for Brighton, playing well, and helping him get back to his best. Ignore the rumours and focus on what you can control, which is football.
Baleba Claims He Felt Pressure
This season, Baleba has only played a full 90 minutes in one Premier League game and has been substituted at halftime four times. However, the player insists that the reports about a move to United are not why he hasn't played well.
Baleba told Sky Sports, I don't think it hurt me, but I felt a lot of pressure. At the beginning of the season, I wanted to play as well as I did last season.
I try to work hard every day to get back to where I was. Did I put too much pressure on myself? I think so, but it's okay. It's good for me because now I have to get through this tough time and keep working hard.
Baleba Isn't the Only Midfielder United Wants
Baleba might move to Old Trafford in January. United wants to add players to the midfield soon. The Cameroon player, who played his last Brighton game on Saturday before going to the Africa Cup of Nations, is not the only Premier League central midfielder United is interested in.
Crystal Palace player Adam Wharton is also wanted by United, but several other Premier League teams are watching the former Blackburn Rovers player. Elliot Anderson has also become a possible target for Amorim's team. But Nottingham Forest will not let the England player leave in January.
United's failure to add midfielders in early 2026 will affect Kobbie Mainoo's chances of leaving next month. Many European teams, including Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Napoli, want the England international. But United will not let Mainoo leave without a good replacement.
United Plays Again on Monday Night
United's next game is on Monday night at home against Bournemouth. Amorim has led United to two wins in their last three games. They drew 1-1 at home against West Ham between wins at Crystal Palace and Wolves.
With seven points out of the last nine, United is now three points behind the Champions League spots. They also have one game in hand on Chelsea, who are in fourth place.
HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN
James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.
Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.
There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.
But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.
For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.
WHY BORUSSIA DORTMUND EXPECT JADON SANCHO TO SIGN FOR FREE
Unai Emery praises Jadon Sancho despite poor stats, while Dortmund free up £21m in wages to lure him back to Germany.
Borussia Dortmund really want Jadon Sancho back, and they’re hoping to get him for free from Manchester United. Sancho’s contract runs out this summer, and honestly, no one expects United to offer him a new one.
Right now, Sancho’s on loan at Aston Villa. It’s his third spell away from Old Trafford since United signed him for £73 million in 2021. His move to Villa was just a loan with no option to buy.
Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has hinted he might keep Sancho, but Dortmund aren’t sitting around. The Times says Dortmund didn’t chase wingers last summer because Nico Kovac liked the 3-4-2-1 formation, but now the boss has changed his mind and wants Sancho back.
If Sancho comes back, he'll need to take a hefty pay cut from his £300,000-a-week salary. Still, Dortmund’s where he made his name after moving from Manchester City in 2017.
Dortmund have room in the budget this summer; they let the contracts of Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan run out. That saves them about £21 million a year, and they’re optimistic they can lure Sancho, who’s allowed to strike pre-contract deals with foreign clubs.
Sancho actually spent half of the 2024 season back at Dortmund after Erik ten Hag froze him out at United. He helped them reach the Champions League final, but nothing permanent came of it.
Something similar happened during his loan to Chelsea last season. The club even paid a £5 million penalty just to avoid having to sign him outright. Villa picked him up right at the transfer deadline in September, but, once again, he’s struggled.
So far, Sancho’s got one goal and one assist in 29 games across all competitions. Still, Emery thinks there’s more to come.
When asked in February about signing Sancho for good, Emery said, “Not yet, but he’s a fantastic player. Hopefully, he can help us by improving within our system, like he is doing.
“He’ll need a new contract; maybe it’s here. If he plays his best football, we’ll want him. But other teams will be interested, too.”
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