Paul Merson: Why Carlos Baleba Could Be the Key to Manchester United’s Success

“Merson Hails Baleba as the Midfield General Manchester United Desperately Needed”

 

 

 

 

In a candid assessment of Manchester United’s summer recruitment strategy, football pundit Paul Merson has identified new signing Carlos Baleba as the most crucial piece of the puzzle for the Red Devils — and not for the reasons many fans might expect.

 

Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson dismissed the idea that signing attackers alone guarantees success, even with United’s recent captures of Benjamin Šeško, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha.

 

> “You can buy all the forwards in the world — and they have in Šeško, Mbeumo and Cunha — but what difference does it make if you can’t get the ball?” Merson stated. “Unless you’ve got a top-class midfield and you can dominate the middle of the park, you won’t win anything.”

 

 

 

For Merson, that’s where Baleba comes in. The 20-year-old, signed from Brighton, is viewed as a complete midfield enforcer — a player capable of breaking up opposition play, recycling possession, and dictating tempo.

 

United’s biggest weakness last season was their inability to control matches, particularly against elite opponents. Despite having attacking talent, their lack of midfield dominance meant they often played in reactive patterns rather than asserting control.

 

Merson believes Baleba’s ball-winning ability, positional awareness, and progressive passing can transform the team’s structure:

 

Defensive Shield: Protecting the backline from transitions.

 

Possession Stability: Allowing creative players more freedom in advanced zones.

 

Tempo Control: Helping United sustain pressure and manage games more efficiently.

 

 

If Merson’s prediction holds true, Baleba might prove to be more influential than any of United’s high-profile forwards. While goals win games, as the pundit reminds us, control of the midfield wins trophies.

 

And for Manchester United fans, that might be the missing ingredient in their quest to return to the summit of Englis

h and European football.