Baleba signing will improve Man Utd 'massively', believes Rooney

Wayne Rooney believes Carlos Baleba is a player who will improve Manchester United's team "massively" as his move to Old Trafford reportedly edges closer.

Baleba is close to sealing a switch to the Red Devils from Brighton in a deal believed to be worth £70m, one year on from United's failed attempt to sign the midfielder. 

The 22-year-old attracted interest from United last season, but Brighton were reported to have set a £100m price tag that was unwilling to be met. 

A midfield rebuild has been key for Michael Carrick this summer, having seen the influential Casemiro depart for Inter Miami before Manuel Ugarte suffered a serious knee injury. 

Youri Tielemans arrived from Aston Villa while Andrey Santos joined from Chelsea for a combined cost of £85m, with Baleba seen as the final piece to their midfield puzzle. 

Since joining Brighton in August 2023, no player has won more tackles across all competitions for the club than Baleba's 100, while he also ranks second behind Jan Paul van Hecke for games played (112), duels won (469) and interceptions (117) for the Seagulls in that time.

"I really like him [Baleba], I think he's a really good signing," United's record scorer told the Stick to United with Wayne Rooney podcast.

"We need another midfield player with a bit of physicality and I know he's not six-foot-four or whatever.

"But he covers the ground really well, he's aggressive, he takes the ball, and that is what we need. He's a very good player who will improve the team massively.

"It will be interesting with Tielemans, Santos and [Kobbie] Mainoo, but this is what it should be. Competition for places. If you don't play well, you don't play."

United's failed attempt to sign Baleba last year resulted in a poor campaign for the Cameroon international, who struggled to nail down a first-team spot in 2025-26. 

He managed 35 appearances across all competitions, 26 of which came from the start as Fabian Hurzeler's side qualified for Europe by finishing eighth in the Premier League. 

There were suggestions that Baleba had "gone missing" on the south coast amid his failed move to United, but Rooney disagreed with that statement. 

"I don't think he went missing. The chance doesn't come around that often to play for Manchester United, so you don't know what effect that has," Rooney added. 

"There's no denying his ability as a player. I think he is a top player."

United began their Premier League campaign with a shock 2-0 defeat to Hull City on Saturday, with Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy on target in the first half at MKM Stadium. 

The Red Devils have lost their opening Premier League game in four of the last seven seasons (W3), while it is the first time in their league history they have lost on MD1 to a newly promoted side (P14 W10 D3 L1).

Carrick's side return to Old Trafford this Sunday, where they take on another newly-promoted side in Ipswich Town, who beat Sunderland 2-1 on the opening day.