Spanish media urge Balde to reject Manchester United and stay loyal to Barcelona

Alejandro Balde is facing growing pressure to clarify his future at Barcelona, with Spanish media urging the 22-year-old left-back to turn down reported interest from Manchester United and commit to the club where he has spent 15 years.

Balde has made 168 appearances for Barcelona since breaking into the first team in the 2021/22 season, winning seven major trophies along the way. However, his position under head coach Hansi Flick has come under immediate threat this campaign, with Xavi Espart starting both of Barca’s opening La Liga fixtures — a 5-0 win over Elche and a 2-0 victory against Athletic Club — leaving Balde without a minute of competitive football so far.

The uncertainty has fuelled speculation over a possible departure, with Manchester United said to hold an interest in the La Masia academy graduate. Club sources at United have played down their chances of completing a deal during the summer window, but the rumours have been enough to prompt a public response from within Spain.

Xavier Bosch of Mundo Deportivo addressed Balde directly in an open letter, appealing to the defender’s emotional ties to the club and arguing that his qualities remain unmatched within the squad. “With effort, sacrifice, and grit in every training session, you’ll turn this episode around, and a physically gifted player like yourself can and should still write many chapters in the elite of football,” Bosch wrote.

“Don’t let your career enter the dead end of what could have been. Take advantage of it. You have ten or twelve magnificent years in football. What better place to do it than at Barca? It’s very cold outside.”

Bosch also challenged Balde to address the areas of his game that have drawn criticism, questioning whether the defender can sharpen his decision-making in the final third and improve his defensive positioning to prevent counter-attacks from catching him too high up the pitch.

“You’ll know better than anyone. You haven’t lost your hunger, at 22, have you?” Bosch added. “There’s no one like you, neither at Barça nor in La Liga, who can break lines from deep, leaving everyone in his wake with sheer speed.”

Balde’s situation will be one to monitor as the transfer window progresses, with Barcelona yet to make any public statement on his availability.