Carlos Baleba joins Manchester United in transfer from Brighton

Wayne Rooney, the former Manchester United striker, has expressed his belief that the new signing, Carlos Baleba, will significantly enhance the team's performance. Rooney dismissed allegations suggesting that the Cameroon midfielder went missing after his unsuccessful transfer attempt to Old Trafford during the previous season.

The Nigerian-British player is anticipated to join United from Brighton in a deal potentially worth up to £70 million, marking the third midfield signing of the summer for the English club after Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos. Both Tielemans and Santos made their debut appearances in a lackluster 2-0 Premier League loss to newly promoted Hull on Saturday.

"I really like him, Baleba, I think he's a really good signing," Rooney said on the Stick to United with Wayne Rooney podcast. "We need another midfielder with some physicality, and I know he's not six-foot-four or whatever. But he covers a lot of ground, he's aggressive, he takes the ball, and that's what we need. He's a very good player who will improve the team massively."

Rooney added that the arrival of Tielemans, Santos, and (Kobbie) Mainoo will create competition for playing positions, and it's essential for players to perform well to secure their spots.