Man Utd set for Carlos Baleba meeting after responding to transfer | Football | Sport

United, equipped with more financial firepower in the next two windows than in the summer, having already spent on the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, may yet return for the promising talent.

And his valuation could even drop after an underwhelming start to the campaign, with Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler admitting that rumours surrounding Baleba’s future had been an unwanted distraction.

He appears to have banished that to one side, however, having starred in Brighton’s win over Newcastle and writing on Instagram: “Good team win and I’m feeling like myself again. #areyouabaleba.”

Curiously, United players Leny Yoro and Andre Onana liked the social media post.

And Baleba will get the chance to show United what they are missing out on in what some may describe as an audition on Saturday, when he and his Brighton team-mates travel to United to take on the Red Devils.

Hurzeler has already laid down the law to Baleba, demanding he rediscovers the form that tempted United into paying big money for him.

“I think we’re getting to a time now where it’s up to him, where he has to take responsibility as well,” Hurzeler said before United’s win against Newcastle.

“He can’t change the noise around him, he’s a player for Brighton. No matter what the rumours are, he will be a player for Brighton until [at least] the end of the season. But now he has to take responsibility.

“Now he has to make a step up and show personality, that’s his next step in his personal development for sure. Like I said in the last weeks, there are waves in development, but you can only get out of it if you take ownership and if you take responsibility, there are some moments where nobody can help you.

“You have to be your own support, your own help. He has the best environment here he can get, he has great team-mates who are there for him and support him.

“But now it’s also up to the player that he steps up, that he shows personality and takes ownership of his development. That’s what I demand from him in the future.”