Manchester United Pivot from Carlos Baleba: Six Realistic Midfield Targets who fit Ruben Amorim’s Plan

Manchester United pushed hard for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba as the centerpiece of a midfield refresh. The pursuit has hit a serious snag. Journalist David Ornstein reports that Manchester United are not planning to proceed with a deal this summer, after Brighton made clear that they intend to keep Baleba and are valuing him at a price comparable to what they received for Moisés Caicedo (£115 million). That puts the deal well beyond what United are prepared or able to pay, particularly considering their heavy outlay this summer.

The pursuit has cooled because Brighton consider him untouchable at present and value him at a level that would break the market for a young holding player. Multiple reports indicate United have pivoted to other solutions rather than force a deal that the selling club does not want to entertain. 

This is not a setback so much as a reality check about squad building. United under Ruben Amorim need a robust ball winner who can screen the back line, progress play under pressure, and survive the Premier League schedule. The good news is there are several realistic profiles who can tick most of those boxes without the fee or friction surrounding Baleba. The six names widely linked in recent days are Morten Hjulmand, Angelo Stiller, Javi Guerra, Mikel Jauregizar, Lamine Camara, and Lucien Agoume. 

The Safest Floor: Morten Hjulmand

Hjulmand has emerged as the most heavyweight alternative. The Sporting CP captain is a natural organizer at the base of midfield, excellent at reading danger early and breaking lines with assured passing. He carries a significant release clause in Portugal, and credible outlets have framed United interest as a prepared move if the Baleba door stays shut, which looks likely as Manchester United do not want to spend the amount Chelsea did on Moises Caicedo. That tallies with the football logic because Hjulmand is tactically disciplined, enters his peak athletic window, and comes from a structure that mirrors several Amorim principles in pressing and rest defense. 

Hjulmand would not be a speculative purchase. His value rests on reliability as much as upside. He profiles as a plug-and-play number six who can stitch together short passing networks while staying alert to counters. The familiarity with a high line and aggressive counterpressing should shorten adaptation time. If United wants a captain type who improves communication in front of the center backs, this is the cleanest fit on the list. 

The Progressive Trio: Stiller, Guerra and Jauregizar

Angelo Stiller has been on the recruitment radar for a while after a strong body of work in Germany. He is not a pure destroyer. His value lies in press resistance, angles in buildup and clean deliveries between the lines. Reports last week tied United to exploratory interest, which fits a brief for a technical eight who can slide to six in possession. Stiller would raise the team pass completion in the middle third and offers calm in crowded zones. 

Javi Guerra gives a slightly different blend. Valencia have relied on his energy and vertical surges, and the links to United in July framed him as a dynamic option who can carry and arrive from deeper spaces. The attraction is obvious for a side that has sometimes lacked runners from midfield to connect phases. If United adds a true anchor, Guerra could become the shuttling eight who presses high, then fires forward to join the front line. 

Mikel Jauregizar is the wildcard of this group and the scouting play. Coverage in recent days has placed him among the names watched as United weigh alternatives. He brings stride length, timing, and a knack for slipping pressure with a quick first touch. The risk profile is higher because he would be moving into a league with different tempo demands, yet the ceiling is enticing for a coaching staff confident in developing 20-something midfielders. 

The common thread across this trio is progression. All three would help United move the ball from back to front with fewer touches, reduce panic clearances, and increase the quality of the first pass after a turnover. Pair any of them with a specialist holder, and the midfield would immediately look more coordinated.

The Athletic Disruptors: Lamine Camara and Lucien Agoume

Lamine Camara is a name that keeps resurfacing because his skill set mirrors the modern two-way midfielder. He covers ground, pinches the ball cleanly, and has the engine to repeat high-intensity actions. Reports last week connected United to his situation at Monaco, and subsequent analysis pieces have argued he matches Amorim’s requirements for mobility and versatility. The caveat is experience at the very top level, although his physical profile and mentality suggest a steep upward curve if given structure and minutes. 

Lucien Agoume is a market opportunity to monitor. His rights situation became clearer over the past year with Sevilla obtaining the bulk of his registration from Inter. He is a front-foot presser with a preference for progressive passing rather than sideways recycling and has the frame to duel in central channels. Recent reporting indicates the door could open at a reasonable fee, which makes him attractive as a depth piece who can grow. United would still need a senior anchor if Agoume were the only addition, yet he makes a lot of sense as part of a two-signing solution. 

Which Route Should United Take

Recruitment is about blends rather than isolated names. The most efficient route is to secure one starter-level anchor and one progressive-minded interior. That combination would rebalance the unit without forcing any square pegs. On that basis, Hjulmand plus one of Stiller or Guerra looks the most coherent pairing. The captain qualities and positional discipline of the Dane would stabilize transition defense, while the passing range of Stiller or the vertical threat of Guerra would add layers in possession. 

There is also a scenario in which United goes for upside. Jauregizar and Camara would introduce athleticism and resale value at a lower combined cost than a single elite name. The coaching group would have to accept a short bedding-in period and tailor protection behind them, perhaps using a back three in the first phase to reduce exposure while they adapt to press cues and distances. That path is bolder yet aligns with long-term roster sustainability. 

Agoume sits in the middle lane as a rotational piece who raises the floor of second-string selections and increases the capacity to press in cup rotations. The key is clarity. If he arrives, he should have a defined role against certain opponent profiles, where his aggression and forward passing suit the game plan. 

Context matters across all these possibilities. Amorim has publicly kept cards close to his chest when asked about a midfield addition, which usually signals that the club is exploring price points across multiple leagues. That approach makes sense late in the window when patience can shave significant percentages off asking prices. 

The bottom line

Manchester United do not need to force an overpay to solve midfield. The Baleba chase has highlighted the premium on proven Premier League ball winners, yet the market still offers clear pathways to upgrade. Hjulmand gives plug-and-play stability. Stiller and Guerra add clean progression through the middle third. Jauregizar and Camara inject athletic range with upside. Agoume deepens the rotation and raises the pressing ceiling. Any two of these profiles would reshape the unit and reduce the structural issues that hurt United in long away matches last season.

Transfer windows are about probabilities, timing, and fit. The shortlist that has circulated is not only plausible, it is smart. United will improve the moment they pair a disciplined anchor with a press-resistant or vertical eight. The team can then lean on Sesko and the new attack to decide games while the midfield quietly restores control and cuts the spaces that have been too easy for opponents to exploit. The door to a balanced season remains wide open.