Man United push for Carlos Baleba as Amorim's midfield blueprint emerges, with Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton on radar

Christian Eriksen’s on-record remarks point to Rúben Amorim actively reshaping Manchester United’s squad profile, with a clear emphasis on role specificity. Multiple aligned briefings indicate United have renewed focus on Carlos Baleba after Bayern cooled interest, while Elliot Anderson is open to a switch to Manchester for family reasons and Adam Wharton remains closely tracked. The strategy is consistent: add a high-ceiling ball-winner, a high-intensity box-to-box profile and a composed distributor to pair with Kobbie Mainoo. The fit is obvious. Timelines hinge on price and exits, but signs are strong that United will move decisively.

Eriksen’s recent comments about the new tactical demands under Rúben Amorim set the backdrop for a midfield rebuild at Old Trafford. In parallel, well-placed briefings in Germany suggest Bayern Munich have stepped back from Carlos Baleba, boosting United’s position. Industry chatter in England points to Elliot Anderson preferring a move to Manchester for family reasons, while Adam Wharton is firmly on United’s scouting shortlist after his rapid rise. The convergence of these signals supports the view that United are prioritising a young, Premier League-proven core to execute Amorim’s system.

🚨🗣️ Eriksen on Amorim: "Yeah, he came in with his ideas. He tried to change things as you still see, tried to get it his way. Certain players for certain positions, for a certain style of play, that’s how he sees success. He has to change a lot because the players were not

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Impact Analysis

From a squad-construction lens, this is coherent and overdue. Amorim’s game model thrives on a double pivot that can both compress space and circulate the ball at speed. Baleba offers the ball-winning engine United have lacked in transition - strong in duels, aggressive in counter-press triggers and comfortable receiving under pressure. He would immediately raise United’s defensive floor and free Mainoo to operate higher in build-up phases.

Wharton profiles as the tempo-setter. His passing selection and calm body shape under pressure translate to cleaner exits from the first line, the exact stabiliser United have missed when pressed by top sides. Anderson brings vertical running and second-ball intensity, traits that lift the team’s ability to sustain attacks and collapse blocks. Together, the trio maps cleanly onto Amorim’s requirements: a destroyer, a metronome and an all-phase runner.

Financially, Brighton will demand a premium for Baleba after their 2023 outlay and development pathway, so United will likely explore staggered fees or performance-linked add-ons. Anderson’s value is attractive given homegrown status and age. Wharton would be costly given his rapid ascent, meaning a phased approach - Baleba first, then opportunistic moves for Anderson and monitored pursuit of Wharton - is the logical sequencing.

Reaction

United fans are reading the signals as a long-awaited pivot to smart, age-aligned recruitment. The prevailing mood is upbeat: Baleba ticks the need for athletic control, Anderson adds legs and personality, and Wharton brings polish. Many point to the fit alongside Mainoo and the benefit of reducing reliance on aging profiles. The idea of building around a young core resonates, especially with memories of chaotic transitions in recent seasons.

There is some pushback about price and timing. A section of supporters fears lengthy negotiations and PSR headwinds could stall momentum. Others worry about balancing minutes for youngsters and the pressure of Old Trafford. Still, the broader sentiment is that Amorim’s clarity - as echoed by Eriksen - finally gives recruitment a tactical spine. Even neutral observers concede that if United land two of the three, the midfield identity shifts from patchwork to purposeful.

Social reactions

🚨🇨🇲 | NEW: Bayern Munich are NOT working on a deal to sign Carlos Baleba as of today as they feel that the player wants to go to Manchester United. []

(fan) Frank 🧠🇵🇹 (@AmorimEra)

pov: top of your wish list

CELSIUS Energy Drink (@CelsiusOfficial)

Prediction

Expect United to prioritise Baleba early. With competing interest softened elsewhere, United have a clean run if they can meet Brighton’s valuation through structured terms. That move unlocks the rest of the plan. Anderson feels like a live, opportunistic deal if the player pushes and the fee lands in a sensible band. Given his homegrown status and energy profile, he is an immediate rotational upgrade who can start 20-25 matches across competitions.

Wharton is the long play. Palace will resist mid-season unless a premium arrives, so United are likely to continue deep scouting, relationship building and scenario planning for a later window. If United secure Baleba and Anderson, they can reassess Wharton depending on exits and European qualification. In short: Baleba to anchor, Anderson to add intensity and depth, Wharton as the high-end conductor when timing and budget align.

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Conclusion

Eriksen’s words are important because they confirm a cultural and tactical reset. Amorim is asking for specificity, and United’s targets reflect that shift. Baleba gives steel and security, Anderson injects legs and bite, and Wharton offers control. The age profile is intentional, the roles are complementary and the upside is clear. There will be noise around fees and negotiations, but for once the football logic is leading the market behavior.

If United convert this blueprint into signatures, the midfield narrative changes from firefighting to framework. The net effect should be fewer broken transitions, cleaner progression and a platform for Mainoo and the attackers to shine. It is not a one-window fix, but the path is finally mapped. Execution now will decide how quickly Old Trafford feels that change on the pitch.