Man Utd Call for midfield shake‑up ahead of Atletico Madrid clash

Man Utd Call has been made by manager Michael Carrick, who insists a recent signing must start on the bench when United meet Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. The criticism follows a woeful weekend performance and a midfield that still looks unbalanced.

Summer overhaul and injury blow

Manchester United spent the bulk of the summer window reshaping the centre of the park, bringing in three new faces – Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba. The club also lost Manuel Ugarte to a long‑term injury, leaving only Baleba as a defensive‑minded option among the senior midfielders.

With Ugarte unavailable, Carrick has just four senior midfielders to choose from. Baleba is the sole player whose primary role is to shield the defence, while the others are more attack‑oriented.

Defensive frailties exposed

Santos, Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo all favour an attacking style but are relatively slow and immobile, a weakness highlighted in United’s 1‑1 draw with Spurs. Gary Neville said the partnership of Tielemans and Mainoo must be shelved after that performance.

Adding to the problem, Bruno Fernandes contributes little defensive work from the No 10 position, often leaving United with only two men in midfield when the ball is lost.

Respected journalist Henry Winter argued that Tielemans should be dropped in favour of Baleba for the upcoming Atletico Madrid game. “I thought it was really poor… until Baleba came on, their midfield was too open,” he told. Winter added, “Tielemans gets in Bruno Fernandes’ way; he lacks the acceleration, mobility and awareness to help out.”

Winter also questioned United’s spending, noting the money used on Santos and Tielemans could have secured a defender. He suggested the club signed Tielemans because he was a recognizable name with a release clause, rather than addressing the need for a defensive midfielder after Casemiro’s departure.

Overall, the call to start Baleba reflects a broader market trend where clubs prioritise defensive solidity over high‑profile attacking signings when rebuilding a midfield.