Carlos Baleba passes Man United medical: Which number could midfielder wear at Old Trafford?

Carlos Baleba has reportedly passed his medical at Manchester United, with confirmation of the midfielder's move to Old Trafford potentially arriving on Monday.

The Red Devils have agreed a deal with Brighton & Hove Albion for the 22-year-old.

The transfer fee is said to be £65m guaranteed plus a further £5m in bonuses, which is significantly cheaper than the £100m+ that Man United were quoted for the Cameroon international during last summer's transfer window.

According to Sky Sports News, Baleba has now completed his medical at Old Trafford and has signed a five-year contract with an option to extend until the summer of 2032.

Baleba will not be immediately available to make his debut for the 20-time English champions due to an ankle injury, with his first match for the club potentially coming against Manchester City in the Manchester derby on September 13.

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Baleba 'completes' medical at Man United

The Cameroonian has scored four goals and registered two assists in 112 appearances for Brighton, including three goals and one assist in 92 Premier League outings.

Baleba currently wears the number 17 shirt for Brighton, but that jersey has been handed to Man United's new midfielder Andrey Santos.

The number 14 shirt is free and an option for the midfielder; it has been vacant since Christian Eriksen departed at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

The number 20 and the number 21 jerseys are also available for Baleba; Diogo Dalot switched from 20 to number two for the start of the 2025-26 campaign, while there has not been a 21 for Man United since Antony's exit in 2025.

The number 24, number 28 and number 29 shirts are also available to Baleba but are less likely than 14, 20 and 21.

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Will Man United sign any further players before transfer deadline?

Man United are also still working to sign a left-back before the end of the transfer window, with Barcelona's Alejandro Balde seen as an option for the club.

The Red Devils could also sign a new forward before the market closes, but that is only expected to occur if Joshua Zirkzee leaves; a return to Serie A for the Dutchman is possible.