Manchester United’s season has begun with the sort of discomfort Old Trafford knows only too well. Six points from six Premier League fixtures has left them 13th, their poorest opening to a league campaign for 40 years, and Dominic Solanke’s 92nd-minute equaliser for Tottenham turned another afternoon into a 1-1 draw and two more dropped points.
Yet amid the frustration came a first sight of Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba in competitive United colours. The Cameroon international, born in Douala in 2004, entered in the 79th minute in place of Youri Tielemans and had only 31 minutes to make an impression. It proved enough to give the home support something rather more encouraging to discuss than the league table.
Baleba arrived from Brighton during the summer for €75.9m, having been on United’s radar a year earlier. Brighton’s valuation, reported to have reached €116m at that stage, prevented a deal then. Jaap Stam had previously identified him as a possible successor to Casemiro, arguing that United required a midfielder with the athleticism to cover the pitch as well as the ability to use the ball properly. Baleba himself had brushed off comparisons in 2024, saying he disliked being measured against other players, even if such judgements were difficult to avoid.
A lively first look
His brief contribution against Spurs contained plenty of the qualities United have been seeking. Baleba created two chances, the second-highest figure among United players, made six recoveries and three interceptions, and completed four passes in the final third. He also won three of his five duels. In a side struggling to impose itself, those numbers offered a small but conspicuous sign of authority.
Michael Carrick, disappointed by the late concession, felt the newcomer had helped the side. “He did well and it was good to have him on the pitch,” the United manager said. “He certainly made a difference.” Carrick had already watched Baleba in a behind-closed-doors game against Lausanne during the international break and said he particularly enjoyed seeing the midfielder take his first minutes in a United shirt.
Owen Hargreaves was rather less restrained. He said some new arrivals need months, even a full season, to establish themselves, whereas Baleba had shown the reason for his signing in roughly half an hour. Hargreaves said the range of his passing initially brought Paul Pogba to mind, while his movement and ball-winning recalled Casemiro. In his view, United had briefly seen elements of both players in one midfielder.
Hargreaves also believed Baleba’s arrival settled a midfield that had been short of balance. Before the change, he felt Bruno Fernandes had faded from the contest, Tielemans had struggled to influence it and Kobbie Mainoo had been carrying too much responsibility. With Baleba alongside him, Mainoo had a partner capable of winning possession quickly, retaining it and moving United forward.
Paul Ince offered a more measured endorsement. He warned that placing too much expectation on Baleba would be difficult, but said he had watched him closely at Brighton and liked what he saw, even if parts of his game still need refinement. Baleba, Ince said, has strength in his running, aggression and the capacity to get around the whole pitch.
United now turn towards their Champions League meeting with Atlético Madrid, carrying a dreadful domestic start but with one new midfield option already demanding attention. The larger repair job remains considerable; Baleba’s debut, though, suggested it may not be entirely without useful tools.
