Baleba interest cools as United eye Summerville and Ndiaye to cover Rashford exit

Manchester United are not currently working on a deal for Nice midfielder Carlos Baleba, despite some lingering interest, as the club edges closer to completing signings for Andrey Santos and Ederson ahead of the new Premier League season.

Senior United writer Tyrone Marshall, answering supporter questions this week, confirmed that United have not replaced the Casemiro role on a like-for-like basis. Instead, the club is prioritising technically proficient, mobile midfielders capable of handling the demands of a Premier League engine room. Santos and Ederson fit that profile, and there is a belief internally that a 4-2-3-1 setup — with Kobbie Mainoo, who improved markedly in the second half of last season — can replicate the function of a natural holding midfielder without signing one explicitly.

Goalkeeper Karl Darlow is also close to finalising his move to Old Trafford, with Ederson’s deal contingent on a clean medical.

On the left flank, United’s approach remains fluid regardless of Marcus Rashford’s future. The club has been working on signing either a left-back or a left-winger, and Patrick Dorgu’s versatility on that side is considered an asset either way. Lewis Hall of Newcastle has been identified as a left-back option, though Newcastle are under no pressure to sell and would require Hall to push for an exit himself.

Rashford’s situation remains unresolved. United have grown more open to reintegrating the 28-year-old after positive talks between the two parties, but a departure is still considered the preferred outcome. Should he leave, the club would look to reinvest in a wide attacker, with West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville and Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye both known to be of interest. United coped without Rashford last season but face a heavier fixture schedule this term and will require greater squad depth.

The first team returned to pre-season training on Thursday, the same day further details of the proposed new stadium at Old Trafford were made public. United will intensify their pre-season programme next week while continuing to pursue reinforcements in midfield and on the left side of the pitch.