Manchester United halts Carlos Baleba deal due to injury

Manchester United have pulled the plug on their pursuit of Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba after the 22-year-old sustained an ankle ligament injury during pre-season preparations. The injury, reported by David Ornstein of The Athletic, occurred in early August 2026 and is expected to sideline the Cameroon international for a number of weeks.

United had been in prolonged discussions over a deal that, at various points, carried a valuation nearing £100 million.

What happened and why United walked away

Baleba picked up the ankle ligament injury while preparing for Brighton’s upcoming 2026-27 campaign. He missed Brighton’s pre-season friendly against Strasbourg, a match Brighton won 4-3 without him.

Brighton believe the injury is not a long-term concern.

United’s decision to step back wasn’t purely medical, though. The club had already bolstered their midfield during the same transfer window, signing Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos. Those two acquisitions significantly reduced the urgency of adding another central midfielder.

Baleba’s rise and the Brighton question

Baleba’s fitness history had already raised questions before this latest setback. Prior to this ankle injury, he had experienced a hamstring issue during the Africa Cup of Nations in late 2025. This ankle ligament injury adds another data point to a file that was already thicker than Brighton would have liked.

For Brighton, the situation is a double-edged sword. On one hand, they keep a player they clearly value. On the other, they now have a key midfielder whose availability for the start of the Premier League season is in doubt, and whose market value may have taken a hit at the worst possible time.

United’s midfield puzzle looks different now

Tielemans brings proven Premier League experience. Santos adds a younger, more progressive option. Together, they represent a midfield rebuild that doesn’t require a third marquee addition to function.