Manchester United

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United will hope for the 2024-25 version of Carlos Baleba rather than last season's because it was his performances in that campaign that attracted them.

We can't know what would have happened if the approach for Mateus Fernandes had been successful, nor if Mason Mount had not suffered the injury in the pre-season game with Paris St-Germain two weeks ago that ruled him out of the Premier League opener.

However, even before Saturday's disappointing loss at Hull City it is clear that, despite adding Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans to their midfield ranks, they still lack physicality and power.

In theory, Baleba should solve that issue.

The 22-year-old is strong in possession, covers ground quickly, is good in the air and alert to danger.

Crucially, he also has three years' worth of top-flight experience in England behind him, having moved to Brighton from Lille when he was 19. It gives him the edge on Santos, also 22, and it will be interesting to see whether the pair compete for the same place at the base of Michael Carrick's midfield or if, against the best sides, they might play together.

It will also be fascinating to see if he gets asked to fill in at left-back too.

He has played there before and, unlike Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui - who could also switch sides if Luke Shaw is unavailable - is left-footed.

Paul Pogba is the only midfield player United have signed for more than the £70m they are committing to Baleba which, given his age, is a statement in itself.

Image source, Getty Images

Carlos Baleba says "it is an incredible feeling" to sign for his dream club in Manchester United.

The 22-year-old midfielder has joined from Brighton on a contract until June 2031, with the option to extend for a further year.

"It is an incredible feeling to join the club of my dreams," said Baleba. "Playing at Old Trafford is always special, but the opportunity to do so as a Manchester United player will be a real honour.

"I cannot wait to work with Michael Carrick; his experience and knowledge of the game make him the perfect coach to help me to reach the highest level.

"The ambition of everyone at the club is extremely clear, the future is hugely exciting, and I am determined to play my part in delivering the success that we are capable of together."

Director of Football, Jason Wilcox added: "Carlos is an elite midfielder with immense potential to develop further. He brings a unique combination of qualities that will really complement our squad.

"We are delighted to further strengthen our midfield with the addition of another established senior international with a proven track record of performing in the Premier League.

"Carlos' determination to join Manchester United and his confidence that we will achieve our shared ambitions mean that he is the perfect signing as we continue to build a dynamic and entertaining team ready to compete across multiple competitions."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Carlos Baleba's imminent arrival will complete the midfield recruitment, now all eyes are on the left-back situation and whether Manchester United bring in someone to compete with Luke Shaw.

The club has a long-standing interest in Newcastle's Lewis Hall, but are also assessing Barcelona's Alejandro Balde and have been heavily linked with Jorge Salinas of Racing Santander.

It is also possible they bring in another forward but that probably depends on one of their existing ones leaving, with Joshua Zirkzee the most likely.

Jay Motty, Manchester United fan

A left-back is essential and this is not just a knee-jerk reaction to the defeat at Hull City - you can see United are short in that position.

We can not realistically expect Luke Shaw to play every game this season and there are still doubts as to whether Michael Carrick trusts Patrick Dorgu in defence.

What business do you think still needs to get done before 23:00 BST on 1 September?

Get in touch with your views here

Adrian, Somerset asked: Is it too late for Manchester United to make a move for Ollie Watkins? I think he would be perfect.

Simon replied: It has felt for a couple of seasons Manchester United could do with an experienced back-up striker to a younger first choice.

Ollie Watkins has previously been mentioned in United circles but I'm not sure it would happen this summer.

It seems a combination of Marcus Rashford not moving as anticipated and Manuel Ugarte's injury blocking a likely summer exit are forcing United to think seriously about their transfer strategy.

If Joshua Zirkzee leaves for Italy, I think it would come down to a choice between a left-back and a forward. The former would seem more obvious.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter at Leigh Sports Village

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick was in the stands at Leigh Sports Village as JJ Gabriel marked his Premier League 2 debut by scoring a brilliant second-half goal in a 5-0 win against Ipswich Town.

Carrick gave 15-year-old Gabriel his first senior minutes in pre-season when he brought the forward on against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm on 1 August.

It proved to be Gabriel's only appearance, although he was part of Carrick's squad for all but the first game against Wrexham in Helsinki.

Gabriel has already made an impact at under-21 level in the build-up to the new campaign, but against a physically much bigger Ipswich side, he set up Victor Musa for Manchester United's opener within two minutes.

Last season's Premier League Under-18 player of the year also teed up full-back Jaydan Kamason in a one-sided first half.

But the best moment came six minutes after the interval when he ran on to Jack Fletcher's through ball, before impudently lifting the ball over Ipswich goalkeeper Woody Williamson and into the net from 20 yards.

Skipper Fletcher - whose dad, former United midfielder and current Under-18s coach Darren, was sitting with Carrick in the stands - also scored, with central defender Dan Armer heading home the fourth.

Manchester United are confident of persuading Arsenal to sell England international Myles Lewis-Skelly, although the asking price of more than £50m remains a sticking point in any deal for the 19-year-old, who can play left-back and in midfield. (Sun), external

AC Milan are considering a move late in the transfer window to sign United defender Noussair Mazraoui. (CaughtOffside), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

The season has started with a bang. With so many new coaches and major squad upheavals, I expected the unexpected and wasn't disappointed.

Hull City seeing off Manchester United raised the most eyebrows. Remember, United ended last season impressively and their hosts just about squeezed up from the Championship, via the play-offs. These are early days and Michael Carrick's side will improve, so need to panic yet. As for Hull, their performance hinted at something else.

Last season Brentford, Brighton and Bournemouth didn't have the slightest hint of an inferiority complex when facing the super-clubs. The Tigers have started in the same style and I suspect others have now seen the light and will follow their lead.

Many are now embracing the idea of chaos, following the control-based dogma that held sway for so long. Some suggest this is "Kloppism" eclipsing the Guardiola doctrine. This is a bit simplistic but there is change in the air and it is being helped by the recent rule changes.

The game is speeding up, encouraging a quicker, more open style that lends itself to this organised chaos. It's early days, but already a pattern appears set for the season; reputations might count for little when up against hungry, youthful, fearless opponents.

Spurs and Aston Villa are seen as "big" clubs but size doesn't matter when confronted by a hunger, desire to work and the ensuing mayhem.

Just look at the way Brentford and Brighton closed both of them down at the weekend; Manchester City were within six minutes of losing to Bournemouth; Liverpool were seconds away from losing to Newcastle, a team supposedly gutted of quality and experience after those brutal summer sales.

Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.

A fresh episode of BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast is now available on BBC Sounds.

Co-hosts Joe McGrath and Gaz Drinkwater are joined by Manchester United Utd fan and YouTuber Tom Cooney to discuss the opening weekend defeat at newly promoted Hull City, as well as the transfer window as the clock ticks down to deadline.

They also look ahead to the first Premier League home game and ask whether Michael Carrick would already be under pressure if United fail to beat Ipswich Town on Sunday.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed

Explore all Manchester United content on BBC Sounds

We asked for your views on Man Utd's 2-0 loss to Hull City on Saturday.

Here are some of your comments:

Ben: I love Man Utd but the showing against Hull was an absolute abomination. I like that we signed Tielemans and Santos but our midfield still was appalling and the fact that we have neglected the defence transfer wise is a shocking decision too. I get that the players are tired but it better be a one-off.

Glen: United delivered the same old drivel. New manager start of season - same old slow, laboured, clueless performance. Makes you think it's not the managers that we keep changing, but certain members of the team!

Andrew: Too often I hear that the opponent got their tactics right against Man Utd. The truth is, they are too predictable and too easy to play against. We are weakened in midfield with the loss of Casemiro and have little threat up front. No one broke the lines, no one in the box! Midfield was a yard short, wasteful and careless. Defensively fragile at left back and right back. The whole side is unfit!

Martin: Just awful. After the good pre-season we got caught out because Hull wanted it more. This could be a very nervy season if players don't pull their socks up. Not one player deserved any credit at all.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

The general consensus was that Manchester United lacked intensity against Hull City; even Carrick's close friend Wayne Rooney said so on Match of the Day.

"For Manchester United to build on what they did last season they need to become a team other teams are scared of," he said.

"There needs to be more energy in the press. They were too passive."

It was not a view Carrick agreed with.

"Just because you get beaten, it doesn't mean you are passive," he said.

"It's one game. Results can happen in football. We all understand that. It's not nice when they do, but it does happen."

Former England striker and Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer felt it was a fitness issue, even though six of the side that started were there right at the start of pre-season training on 9 July.

"United were dreadful in all positions, particularly up front. They offered nothing," he said.

"There was only one team going to win. It's a worrying thing. You know what you are going to get going up against a promoted team. You need to match them."

Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic altered his tactics for the game, having watched a couple of United's pre-season matches, including the 4-2 defeat by AC Milan, engineered by former boss Ruben Amorim, when he repeatedly switched play to his wing-backs, which United's defence failed to cover.

That was key, as it created the space to put balls into the box for combative striker Oli McBurnie to feed off.

McBurnie did not score, but 19-year-old United defender Ayden Heaven in particular found it difficult to cope.

Semi Ajayi opened the scoring by driving home the rebound after Senne Lammens had pushed a powerful close-range McBurnie effort on to a post.

New signing Nobel Mendy added the second when he got his head to Regan Slater's free-kick despite the close attentions of Luke Shaw and Noussair Mazraoui.

Barcelona and Spain left-back Alejandro Balde, 22, has given the green light to his agent Jorge Mendes to negotiate a move to Manchester United. (Sport - in Spanish), external

Meanwhile, United will not sell forward Joshua Zirkzee for less than £40m amid interest from Juventus, Napoli and Aston Villa. (Sun), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Man Utd starting XI:

Senne Lammens: Made two good saves before blocking Oli McBurnie's goalbound effort, which led to Semi Ajayi's goal. Despite the score one of the visitors' better performers. 7.

Noussair Mazraoui (off 80): Tended to run inside the wide attacking channel but didn't threaten and found it tough to stop Hull when they were going forward. 5.

Harry Maguire: Tough day on his return to Hull. Solid enough but couldn't inspire those around him. 6.

Ayden Heaven: Outmuscled by McBurnie in the build-up to Hull's opener and got involved in an argument with the forward at half-time. Inexperienced and exposed. 5.

Luke Shaw: Hugged the touchline to provide an attacking outlet and linked well, but given too much ground to cover defensively. 6.

Andrey Santos (off 66): Competitive debut passed him by. Dominated by Hull midfield and not secure in possession. 5.

Youri Tielemans (off 66): Some slick passing, but got sucked into playing high balls into the Hull penalty area which the visitors were ill-equipped to compete for. Disappointing overall. 5.

Bryan Mbeumo: United's biggest threat in the first half. One angled drive saved, another acrobatic effort deflected wide. 5.

Bruno Fernandes: Tried but nowhere near his best. Didn't get himself into shooting positions. 5.

Patrick Dorgu (off 46): Got the ball in dangerous positions but couldn't find the end product and struggled to maintain the flow of United's attacks when needed. Booked as well. Not a surprise to be taken off. 4.

Matheus Cunha (off 80): Started up front but natural instinct is to check back into the number 10 position and look for space, which meant the visitors did not have a forward option to aim for. 5.

Man Utd substitutes:

Marcus Rashford (on 46): Half-time arrival for his first Manchester United appearance since December 2024. Immediately started to run at the Hull defence but didn't create anything. 5.

Benjamin Sesko (on 66): Physical presence at least created a different challenge for Hull. 5.

Kobbie Mainoo (on 66): Struggled to make a significant impact. 5.

Diogo Dalot (on 80): 5.

Shea Lacey (on 80): 5.

Subs not used: Karl Darlow, Lisandro Martinez, Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro.

Read the full article and see how you rated the players

Image source, Getty Images

Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Hull's shape was really good. They stuck to the job and worked hard, which is what they're going to have to do to try and stay in this league.

"And obviously, it looked like they identified a weakness in Manchester United in putting balls into the box and utilised that really well. All they can do is try and take as many points at home as they can. It's a great start.

"Hull were fantastic. The manager [Sergej Jakirovic] was spot on when he talked about preparation. I watched Manchester United against AC Milan, and they struggled stopping crosses into the box. Hull looked like they played on that, they got the ball out wide, put good crosses in the box and caused United problems.

"Hull defended well in the second half. They looked powerful, they looked strong. United didn't look at the races and Hull overpowered them in both boxes. That won them the game.

"From a fitness point of view, it can be tricky for the top clubs who have a lot of players away in a World Cup year. There was a lack of intensity. In terms of the press, Man Utd sat in a mid-block, but didn't get pressure on the ball.

"In the next few games, players will pick up that fitness. Ultimately, you want to see a little bit more, especially when they go 2-0 down. You want to see more urgency."