Rooney hails Baleba signing as key addition to Manchester United

Wayne Rooney has praised Manchester United's signing of Carlos Baleba, describing the Cameroon midfielder as a valuable addition to the club's midfield. The 22-year-old joined United from Brighton in a deal that could reach £70m, with a contract running until June 2031 and an option to extend it by another year. Rooney, a former United captain, believes Baleba's arrival will bring the intensity and physical presence needed to strengthen the team's midfield.

Speaking on the Stick to United podcast, Rooney expressed his enthusiasm about the new signing, highlighting Baleba's excellent ground coverage, aggression, and ability to win possession. Rooney also noted that Baleba's presence will increase competition among United's midfield options, which can help raise the team's standards and encourage improvement.

Baleba's signing comes after he established himself as one of the Premier League's promising young midfielders during his time at Brighton, where he made 31 Premier League appearances last season. His impressive defensive statistics, including being among the top 8% for combined tackles and interceptions, and the top 1% for second balls won, further justify Rooney's belief that the midfielder can make an immediate impact at Old Trafford.