The summer transfer window for Manchester United continues to raise eyebrows among the club's legends. The Reds splashed around £70 million on Carlos Baleba from Brighton. The midfielder has recently returned from injury and is gradually finding his feet on the pitch, showing promising form in his last outings. However, former striker Teddy Sheringham believes it's too early to hand out any praise.
Sheringham admitted he was not convinced by the performances of the Cameroonian midfielder, particularly during the recent 1-1 draw against Leeds United.
I’m not sure about Carlos Baleba. We haven’t seen how he plays under the pressure of a club like Manchester United, so it will take about six months before we can form a real opinion.
The pundit noted that the club has bolstered their midfield with other players like Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos. Tielemans has slotted straight into the starting XI and has certainly lived up to expectations. Given his impressive form and the presence of Kobbie Mainoo, the £70 million Baleba may have to bide his time on the bench.
This scepticism surrounding new signings is merely part of a larger crisis. Under Michael Carrick, the team has struggled in the opening phase of the season, managing just two wins out of ten matches across all competitions. The United boss is now among the frontrunners for the first managerial sacking in the Premier League this term.
Sheringham warned Carrick about the immense pressure that can take a toll on the health of managers at Old Trafford.
There may not be expectations right at this moment, but inside the football club and among fans, they haven’t been satisfied with fourth, third, or even second place for many years. It will be interesting to see how long his hair stays nice, dark, and flowing on the touchline. This pressure eventually brings grey hair or balding, and suddenly you look and think: blimey, he’s aged. That’s what pressure does.
Despite his harsh criticism and warnings, the veteran expressed his fondness for Carrick’s character and truly hopes he can turn things around.
