News25 Aug 2026
Manchester United Complete £70m Deal for Brighton Midfielder Carlos Baleba
Manchester United have officially completed the signing of 22-year-old Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion in a deal worth up to £70m. The Red Devils will pay an initial £65m with a further £5m in add-ons, tying the combative midfielder down to a five-year contract with an option for an additional year. The massive acquisition pushes United’s summer spending to £153m as Michael Carrick’s side prepares for a return to the Champions League. Baleba’s arrival follows the recent midfield additions of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, highlighting a clear mandate to overhaul the engine room—a need further exposed during United's shock 2-0 defeat to Hull City in their Premier League opener. Speaking on the move, Baleba called it "an incredible feeling to join the club of my dreams," while also expressing his excitement to develop under Carrick's tutelage. Club captain Bruno Fernandes welcomed the addition, praising the unique physical qualities the Cameroonian brings to Old Trafford. Baleba, who joined Brighton from Lille in 2023, is celebrated for his immense physicality, elite ball-winning capabilities, and progressive carrying. During a standout 2024-25 campaign for the Seagulls, he ranked fourth among Premier League midfielders for possessions won in the middle third and fifth for total ball recoveries. Though currently sidelined with a pre-season ankle injury, Baleba is expected to provide the crucial defensive security and athletic drive that United have been missing. Whether anchoring the midfield alongside Kobbie Mainoo or freeing up Tielemans to dictate play, Baleba represents a major statement of intent for the Red Devils this season.
News23 Aug 2026
Hull City Shock Man Utd as Promoted Sides Shine on Opening Weekend
The 2026/27 Premier League season kicked off with massive upsets as newly promoted Hull City and Ipswich Town both secured dream opening-day victories. In the biggest shock of the weekend, Hull City stunned Michael Carrick’s Manchester United 2-0 at the MKM Stadium. First-half goals from Semi Ajayi and club-record signing Nobel Mendy earned the Tigers their first league win over the Red Devils since 1974. Despite Marcus Rashford making his first Premier League appearance since late 2024, United suffered a dismal start to their campaign. Meanwhile, fellow newcomers Ipswich Town celebrated a dramatic 2-1 victory over Sunderland at Portman Road. Under the guidance of Gary O’Neil, the Tractor Boys snatched all three points thanks to a 90th-minute heartbreaker from former Black Cat Jack Clarke. Elsewhere, Brentford dismantled Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham Hotspur 3-0. Club-record signing Mamadou Sangare dominated on his debut, setting up Keane Lewis-Potter’s opener before Vitaly Janelt and Michael Kayode sealed the rout. Spurs, fielding a youthful Archie Gray as their youngest-ever captain, looked severely disjointed amid ongoing injury woes. In other fixtures, Leeds United edged Nottingham Forest 1-0 courtesy of a brilliant 88th-minute free-kick from set-piece specialist Anton Stach, handing new Forest boss Oliver Glasner a disappointing debut. Finally, Everton cruised past Crystal Palace 2-0 with goals from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry. However, the match was unfortunately overshadowed by a serious knee injury to Palace defender Chadi Riad, who was stretchered off in tears.