Manchester United might have already made Carlos Baleba transfer mistake

You can understand why Ruben Amorim pushed so hard for an attacking overhaul in the summer window. He just presided over the worst season in the modern history of Manchester United and admitted he 'feared' going to some matches last season because he knew his team would struggle.

United scored just 44 league goals as an entire team during a dismal campaign that saw them lose 22 times across all competitions. Six teams did the double over them. Tottenham Hotspur did the quadruple. What was so painful for the Portuguese head coach was the repetitive nature of the performances, too. They always found a way to concede and rarely looked like scoring.

Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo scored a combined 35 league goals between them last season and should bring huge improvement to the forward line. They not only score, they create, and are both proven in the Premier League, a preference Amorim has for all of his recruits.

If he had it his way, United would have signed Ollie Watkins as well, but Aston Villa were adamant he was not for sale. Benjamin Sesko might not provide the same immediate impact at Old Trafford, though club chiefs believe he has huge untapped potential and could lead their line for the next decade. Mind you, they said the same about Rasmus Hojlund as well.

United have been clever with their finances this summer, so even if they spend £200 million on their revamped attack, it will only cost them £40m a year over the next five. They have already received more than £15m in payments from the sell-on clauses of Anthony Elanga, Alvaro Carreras and Maxi Oyedele, and will save £14m in wages from Marcus Rashford's loan switch to Barcelona. They also received a £5m penalty payment after Chelsea didn't proceed with their obligation to buy Jadon Sancho and still hope to sell four players before deadline day.

Those sales might be needed if United are to invest elsewhere in their squad, and supporters might worry that they have concentrated so heavily on attack when midfield and goalkeeper also need attention. Amorim has plans to address those issues in the long term, but it is viewed as a gradual rebuild and United just wants to see how much they can get done this summer.

Yet with the new Premier League season on the horizon, it is fair to argue whether the £73.8m proposed package for Sesko could have provided them with a greater improvement in other areas of the pitch. The 22-year-old might be an exceptional talent with the desired raw attributes, but it seems an awful lot of money to spend on a player who appears to be quite similar to Rasmus Hojlund and is arguably even less proven.

For that amount of money, they could easily have signed a new goalkeeper or could have signed a top midfielder such as Adam Wharton or Carlos Baleba instead. Either of those additions might have provided a bigger positive impact on the United side next season and risk going unaddressed before deadline day.

Amorim is now spoilt for choice with his options in attack, but there remains a huge concern in central midfield in particular. Manuel Ugarte started pre-season well but regressed by the end of it. Casemiro was at his worst in domestic matches last season, and Kobbie Mainoo lacks the defensive qualities to play as a holding midfielder. Toby Collyer will be allowed to leave on loan, Sekou Kone has never played a minute of competitive first-team football, and Bruno Fernandes is still at his best when used in an advanced role.

A move for Baleba is viewed as unlikely before deadline day, but had United approached him before they went for Sesko, then perhaps they could have completed a deal. Instead, they might be in a more fierce competition to sign him next year, and if they endure another poor campaign, it could be even harder to convince him to join.

Then you consider the goalkeeping role. Onana has struggled as much as he has shone in his time at Old Trafford and is certain to miss a run of games next season due to Africa Cup of Nations involvement. Altay Bayindir is not good enough to be the number two, and Tom Heaton has only made four senior appearances for the club.

Those two issues could be more detrimental than another season of Hojlund in attack, particularly when he would get many more chances created from Cunha and Mbeumo. At a time when summer spending is set to reach the £200m mark, failure to strengthen the squad elsewhere could cost them even more.

Baleba and Sesko sign, six sold: Manchester United dream end to summer transfer window