🚨 Man Utd Close In on Baleba, But Which Version Are They Getting?

📝 THE FULL PICTURE: United's back at it for Carlos Baleba, the Brighton midfielder they chased a year ago. Here's the twist: the price tag's dropped way below that £100m quote, but there's a reason. Baleba's form slid hard last season. He went from 31 Premier League starts to 23, with more sub appearances, even as Brighton clinched European football for just the second time ever. United's already brought in Andres Santos and Youri Tielemans, both technical, small-space midfielders. Baleba's different, a ball-carrying, athletic presser who can cover ground and protect the back line. Carrick's clearly betting on the 2024-25 version, the one who was worth the big money before the dip. 💭 MY TAKE: This is a classic buy-low gamble. United's getting a discount because Baleba's head might've been elsewhere, but if he's motivated, he fills a massive hole in that midfield. The athleticism and press intensity? That's exactly what they lost when Casemiro walked. Plus, pairing him with Santos and Tielemans gives Carrick options he didn't have. The real question: does Brighton's loss become United's win, or is this another "proven in a different system" situation? I'm cautiously hyped, but that form drop is a yellow flag, not a red one yet.