INEOS pressure mounts as United eye Balde amid managerial uncertainty

Barcelona have set a €40 million (£33.4 million) price tag on left‑back Alejandro Balde and are willing to let him leave in January, a move that could finally give Man Utd the defensive reinforcement they have lacked this season after a nightmarish start and mounting pressure on interim manager Michael Carrick.

Dan Burnham writes for Sport that INEOS have a big job on their hands to reverse Man Utd's fortunes and the Red Devils could see major changes on and off the pitch.

Frustrations towards the boardroom have helped his case.

Supporters have also opted to target the current crop as opposed to their former midfielder in the dugout.

Manager options and board pressure

Regardless of who's in charge come the winter transfer window, Manchester United appear in desperate need of reinforcements.

If Carrick is dismissed, former Liverpool and England midfielder Jamie Redknapp sees only two suitable candidates: Eddie Howe or Unai Emery.

Redknapp told that there are “only, I think, two runners” and warned that if results do not improve Carrick will inevitably lose his job, with Emery or Howe likely to take over.

Howe is out of work after leaving Newcastle but not technically a free agent, as Newcastle would still require compensation estimated at around £3 million from any club wishing to appoint him.

Emery is tied down until 2029 by Aston Villa, making him far more expensive than Howe.

Balde transfer details

It seems Balde is destined to leave Barcelona in 2027.

Balde was linked with a late move but chose to stay in Spain to fight for his place under Hansi Flick.

Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde, a seven‑time Spain international, has struggled for game time, playing just 116 minutes across four appearances under Hansi Flick.

According to, Balde has resigned himself to the fact that he must leave to get more playing time.

Barcelona have set a €40 million (£33.4 million) price tag on him and are open to a January exit.

A loan departure would not be acceptable for the Catalan giants, as they want to fund new signings.

One of United's biggest transfer failures of the summer window was not signing a left‑back to rotate with Luke Shaw.

For MAN UTD, securing Balde would address the left‑back vacancy that has plagued the club after failing to sign a rotational partner for Luke Shaw this summer.

For Barcelona, selling Balde would free up funds to pursue new acquisitions while ensuring they retain a full‑price transfer rather than a loan.