Man United transfer news LIVE: Carlos Baleba medical, £43m Alejandro Balde threat, latest updates today

Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live Manchester United transfer news blog on Tuesday, August 24!

Red Devils fans may still be in mourning after Saturday's shock 2-0 Premier League loss to Hull City, but the impending arrival of a new £70m midfielder should put smiles back on faces.

Stay entirely up to date with the latest Man United done deals and rumours with our social-led live blog below!

Today's Man United transfer headlines

Man United face two threats in Alejandro Balde race

Man United transfer news today: What's happening on August 24?

Manchester United are understood to face stiff competition for Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde, with Aston Villa and Benfica both reportedly holding an interest in the 22-year-old.

Balde, valued at around £43m, was left out of Barcelona's squad for their weekend fixture against Elche, a decision that has fuelled speculation that a move away from Camp Nou could be imminent.

United's need for defensive reinforcement was laid bare by Saturday's 2-0 defeat to newly-promoted Hull, a result that left Michael Carrick's side facing a difficult opening weekend and supporters calling for fresh additions at the back.

Unai Emery's reputation and Villa's ability to offer Champions League football are believed to make them serious rivals for Balde's signature, even after the Lions' own alarming 4-0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion.

United are understood to retain hope of offering a higher weekly wage than their Midlands rivals, though Benfica are considered a financial outsider in the race regardless of any interest they hold.

Elsewhere, United's move for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba is reported to be edging closer, with a fee in the region of £70m agreed and a medical completed.

Baleba should represent the club's final midfield addition of the window, with the priority instead shifting toward attack and defence given the alarming nature of the Hull defeat.

With the transfer deadline of September 1 approaching, reports suggest Carrick's side may still end the summer short of cover in defence and out wide, even if Balde does eventually complete a move to Old Trafford.

Balde has featured just 28 times in La Liga last season for Barcelona, missing a significant chunk of the campaign through injury, and any suitor would reportedly need to manage his fitness carefully given his history of muscle problems and a ruptured tendon.

Harry Maguire's struggles against Hull were also seen as a further reminder that Carrick's defensive concerns extend beyond left-back, with reports suggesting a new centre-back remains a target regardless of how the Balde pursuit unfolds.