Manchester United complete £70m Carlos Baleba signing after midfielder passes medical

Manchester United have reportedly completed the signing of Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion, handing Michael Carrick a major midfield boost following a disastrous opening-day defeat to Hull City.

United agreed a deal worth an initial £65million plus another £5m in potential add-ons on Friday night, with Brighton also retaining a sell-on clause.

Baleba underwent his medical on Saturday and the remaining documents have now reportedly been exchanged and signed.

Fabrizio Romano describes the transfer as "100 per cent confirmed", with only the official announcement still to come.

United have been working on a deal for the Cameroon international throughout the latter stages of the summer window.

They have now finally secured one of their major targets.

Baleba is expected to sign a five-year contract running until the summer of 2031.

The overall package could eventually reach £70m if all bonuses are triggered.

It represents a significant reduction on the figures United encountered when they explored a move last summer, when Brighton were reportedly demanding more than £100m.

This time an agreement has been reached, and Carrick can now plan with Baleba as part of his midfield.

There is one significant drawback to the deal.

Baleba is currently recovering from an ankle ligament injury suffered during Brighton's pre-season victory over Strasbourg.

The problem was already expected to keep him out for the opening weeks of the Premier League campaign.

United supporters will therefore have to wait before seeing their new midfielder make his debut.

Mid-September has been suggested as a possible return date, although that will depend on how his rehabilitation progresses.

United host Manchester City at Old Trafford on September 13, making the first derby of the season an obvious potential target.

However, there is currently no guarantee Baleba will be ready for that match.

Baleba becomes United's third midfield signing of an aggressive summer rebuild.

Andrey Santos arrived from Chelsea for £50m, while Youri Tielemans joined from Aston Villa in a £35m deal.

Both started Saturday's 2-0 defeat away to newly-promoted Hull.

Baleba will eventually provide Carrick with another major option as United attempt to move on from the departures and injuries that have transformed the position.

Casemiro left when his contract expired in July, while Manuel Ugarte faces a lengthy spell out after undergoing surgery on the serious knee injury he suffered with Uruguay at the World Cup.

United have now spent up to £155m on Santos, Tielemans and Baleba alone.

Confirmation of Baleba's arrival comes at a welcome time following a miserable start to the new Premier League season.

United were beaten 2-0 by promoted Hull City on Saturday in Carrick's first league match since becoming permanent manager.

Despite starting Santos and Tielemans together, United struggled to control the contest and were already two goals behind at half-time.

Baleba will eventually add physicality, ball-carrying ability and another defensive presence to Carrick's options.

The immediate problem is that he cannot provide an instant response.

United face Ipswich and Everton before the Manchester derby, meaning Carrick must find improvements from his existing squad while Baleba continues his recovery.

Manchester United are now expected to officially announce Baleba's arrival after all relevant documents were reportedly signed and exchanged.

Attention will then turn to his recovery. A return around mid-September has been suggested, potentially putting the Manchester derby on September 13 into the conversation, although United will not want to rush their new signing.

For Carrick, the priority before then is getting a response from his team after the shock 2-0 defeat at Hull.

With Baleba, Santos and Tielemans now signed, does Manchester United's new midfield have enough quality to transform Carrick's team?