The excitement surrounding Manchester United’s midfield rebuild has been reignited by the expected arrival of Carlos Baleba, with the club already having added Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos to Michael Carrick’s squad.
However, supporters have also been reminded that patience will be essential if these new additions are to reach their full potential at Old Trafford.
United’s opening-day 2-0 defeat against Hull City was undeniably disappointing. The performance exposed several weaknesses, particularly in midfield, and both Tielemans and Santos struggled to make the kind of impact supporters had hoped for.
But one difficult afternoon should not automatically lead to the conclusion that either player was a poor signing.
Football does not work that way.
New players need time to understand their teammates, adapt to a manager’s tactical instructions and become comfortable within a completely different system.
At Manchester United, that adjustment can be even more challenging because of the enormous expectations surrounding every player who wears the famous red shirt.
Tielemans and Santos are still learning how Carrick wants his midfield to function. Their positioning, movement, passing patterns and defensive responsibilities will naturally take time to develop.
Expecting instant chemistry simply because they have been signed during the same transfer window is unrealistic.
The same patience should be extended to Carlos Baleba if his reported move to Manchester United is completed.
The Cameroon international is reportedly valued at around £65 million, with another £5 million potentially available in bonuses, meaning the total package could reach approximately £70 million.
Such a significant transfer fee will inevitably create enormous expectations, but Baleba is only 22 and is still developing as a footballer.
His qualities are certainly exciting. He possesses impressive physical strength, tremendous energy, athleticism and the ability to carry the ball over long distances.
His defensive awareness and capacity to win possession could also provide Carrick with an important option in the middle of the pitch.
However, none of those qualities guarantee that he will immediately dominate Premier League matches.
Baleba would still need to adapt to United’s system, understand Carrick’s expectations and develop an understanding with players such as Tielemans, Santos and Bruno Fernandes.
He would also have to deal with the pressure that comes with playing for a club where every mistake can quickly become a major talking point.
That is why criticism should be balanced.
If a player performs badly, supporters have every right to question the performance and demand improvement. Holding Manchester United players to high standards is completely understandable.
But there is a huge difference between fair criticism and completely writing someone off after one match.
United are in the middle of a rebuild, and rebuilding a team requires more than simply signing talented players. The individuals must develop chemistry, understand one another and gradually become comfortable with the manager’s methods.
Tielemans, Santos and Baleba should therefore be judged over a much larger sample of matches.
Support them when they perform well. Demand more when they struggle. Question them when necessary. But do not allow one disappointing result to determine whether a player will succeed at Old Trafford.
