Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba has publicly addressed the speculation surrounding his future and a dip in form, following intense links to Manchester United. Meanwhile, fresh revelations have come to light regarding the dramatic circumstances that forced through Cristiano Ronaldo's emotional return to Old Trafford in 2021.
Carlos Baleba Responds to Manchester United Transfer Speculation
The 21-year-old Cameroon international was a prime target for the Red Devils late in the summer transfer window, with Brighton slapping a staggering £100 million price tag on the player. The move ultimately collapsed, but rumours have persisted that the distraction affected Baleba's performances this season.
Baleba, who has been called up for the Africa Cup of Nations, has played a full 90 minutes in the Premier League only once this term, a stark contrast to his indispensable role under former boss Fabian Hurzeler. However, the young midfielder refuted the idea that United's interest was to blame for his struggles.
"I don’t think it affected me. But I had a lot of pressure on me," Baleba stated in an interview. "When I started the season, I wanted to [have] the same performances as last season. Every day I try to work hard and to get [back] to my level."
He did, however, admit to putting excessive pressure on himself, adding: "Yes, I think so, but I think that’s good." United are expected to revive their interest in the midfielder in the future, with Baleba set to team up with current Red Devil Bryan Mbeumo on international duty.
How Jorge Mendes Engineered Ronaldo's Manchester United Return
In a separate development, the precise details behind Cristiano Ronaldo's sensational return to Manchester United have surfaced, painting a picture of agent-led brinkmanship. According to a report by the Daily Mail, super-agent Jorge Mendes masterminded the deal by creating a sense of panic at Old Trafford.
The report claims Mendes led United executives to believe that Ronaldo "had the pen in his hand" and was on the verge of joining arch-rivals Manchester City in August 2021. The mere thought of the club legend scoring for the blue side of Manchester was reportedly enough to coerce United into swift action.
"It created a panic," a source with knowledge of the deal was quoted as saying. "The idea of him scoring for City against United was too much for them. They were frightened to death about how the fans would react when the reality was that signing him would go against everything that Ole was trying to do."
This tactical manoeuvre by Mendes prompted United to swoop in and secure Ronaldo's signature, despite him being 36 at the time. The Portuguese icon scored 24 goals in his first season back but his second stint turned sour, culminating in a disruptive exit to Al-Nassr in December 2022.
The Costly Aftermath of the Ronaldo Reunion
Ronaldo's return, while initially prolific, proved to be a turbulent chapter for the club. The period saw four different managers at the helm: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, caretakers Michael Carrick and Ralf Rangnick, and finally Erik ten Hag.
Financially, the deal has been scrutinised, with calculations suggesting the transfer ended up costing the club approximately £1.2 million for each goal Ronaldo scored. The revelations underscore the immense influence wielded by agents in modern football and how a nostalgic transfer, driven by fear of a rival, ultimately failed to deliver long-term success for Manchester United.
