Man United will not upgrade midfield in January despite links to Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba

Manchester United will not strengthen their midfield in the January window despite growing speculation surrounding a possible move for Brighton prospect Carlos Baleba.

Club officials have decided the position will be addressed later, with long-term plans prioritised over quick fixes.

United have been linked with several midfielders in recent weeks, including Brighton’s Cameroonian Baleba, Crystal Palace talent Adam Wharton, Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher and Nottingham Forest’s Elliott Anderson.

However, the club’s strategy points toward a major midfield acquisition in 2026.

Ruben Amorim, who received significant attacking reinforcements in the summer with the arrivals of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, is understood to view central midfield as the next key area requiring attention.

His concerns stem from what he believes has been a persistent lack of control in midfield across the past two seasons.

The futures of Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo also remain uncertain, adding to the debate over when the squad should be reshaped. Yet, despite this backdrop, reports that United intend to act immediately in January have been dismissed.

According to ESPN, the club will not pursue Baleba or Wharton when the winter window opens.

Instead, they intend to wait until next summer before attempting to secure either player. Both midfielders are rated highly within Amorim’s camp, with the manager believed to consider them ideal for the style he wants to impose.

Brighton are reportedly demanding more than £100m for Baleba, while Wharton is expected to command a similarly steep valuation.

Such prices underline the scale of investment required if United hope to build a midfield capable of supporting an extended title challenge.