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Kobbie Mainoo will be central to the midfield rebuild plans at Manchester United this summer, and so any signing needs to be compatible with the current number 37.
There was a time when it looked like he was bound to leave, but now Kobbie Mainoo is close to signing a new contract at Old Trafford, which will likely tie him down long term.
Mainoo will be pivotal in the future, and as a result, Manchester United’s interest in Adam Wharton has dissipated due to the belief that they are too similar and wouldn’t work as a pairing.
Whoever United decides to sign as the main midfield addition this summer must work next to Mainoo, and now the club believes they have found the ideal option.
United are concerned Adam Wharton is too similar to Kobbie Mainoo – is this a good reason to back away from a deal?
Or are two Kobbie Mainoo types actually smart to have…?
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Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty ImagesManchester United think Carlos Baleba would be a brilliant partner for Kobbie Mainoo
With Wharton going down the pecking order for United, it narrows the options further for United.
Now, Ben Jacobs has claimed, on The United Stand, that United have picked out Carlos Baleba as a midfield partner who would suit Mainoo.
The reporter claims United are fans of Baleba’s mobility and his energy in midfield, while believing that he and Mainoo would have chemistry together in midfield, more so than with Wharton.
Baleba is in his own category for United this summer, not considered among midfield targets, but on his own list, which implies that he might be signed regardless of other activity.
Last summer, Baleba was the number one midfielder for United, and despite his terrible season for Brighton, he probably remains in high contention for a big move. Regarding the pairing suggested, on paper, it works. But football is played on grass, so there are few guarantees, especially after the year the Brighton star has had.
IF Elliot Anderson signs for Man City, who would be your TOP PRIORITY midfield alternative?
Photo by Lee Parker – CameraSport via Getty Images Baleba’s bad season for Brighton could be good news for Manchester United
Last summer, Brighton’s demands for Baleba were upwards of £100m, but his form this season has completely tanked that valuation, which could see him worth closer to £50m right now.
Baleba’s head was turned by United, and Brighton won’t be able to sway him away from a move this summer should it present itself for him.
So if United’s scouts and analysts are confident that Baleba is the one, then his nightmare campaign for Brighton might have actually done Ineos a big favour.
The quality is still there, as he has shown for Cameroon; however, it is a massive risk for United to spend big on a player who had a bad season and struggled with the weight of a link to Old Trafford, let alone making the move.
But Ineos’ recruitment record has earned confidence from fans.
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