Old Trafford officials are racing to secure Brighton powerhouse Carlos Baleba, leveraging pre-agreed personal terms to bolster their midfield before international stars depart for the summer tournament.
Which Midfielder should United Sign?
It feels that the one genre of story that is going to float around this summer transfer window is Manchester United and midfielders.
There have been countless talented midfielders linked with a move to Old Trafford, from Premier League rising talents like Elliot Anderson and Matheus Fernandes to European players such as Aurelien Tchouameni and Morten Hjelmeland.
However, since halfway, or so, the one constant that despite all these rumours United have always looked most set on signing Brighton and Hove midfielder Carlos Baleba.
The Cameroon midfielder has been admired by United over the last 12 months with the Red Devils testing a bid for him at the end of last years summer transfer window which was swiftly turned away by Brighton as they were wanting near to £100 million for him.
Vitally, one thing United were able to agree with Baleba on was his personal terms, which they can still boast, making him a much more viable option compared to someone who could demand a high wage.
United trying to sign Baleba before World Cup
According to CaughtOffside, United are prioritising the signing of Baleba before the start of the World Cup, in America, Mexico and Canada.
Baleba and Cameroon will not be going to the World Cup in June, which means United want to snap him up before the tournament starts.
With it seeing increasingly likely that Michael Carrick will become United manager, it will be easier to understand what United's targets may look like, and a robust midfielder who likes to cover distance, Baleba, ticks these boxes.
While he is likely to only be one of several midfield additions in the coming months, Baleba may well be the first through the door.
Is Baleba United's best option
It seems likely that United will try and sign at least two midfielders, with Casemiro leaving the club with the expiry of his contract coming at the end of the year, and Manuel Ugarte seeing himself linked with clubs around Europe.
However, it does feel like United may be going with the easiest way out as they already have personal terms agreed and there is a lack of pressure with him not going to the World Cup.
If United are to spend a big on one midfielder it feels that United may look for a cheaper alternative and with that look the Red Devils could look into the EFL for a first team player, something they haven't done since Dan James in 2019.
After Middlesborough failed to get promoted against Southampton, Hayden Hackney who just won EFL Championship Player of the Year, looks set to leave the Boro and could be a good, home-grown, option, same could also be said with Coventry's Jack Rudoni, who has just won promotion with Coventry City.