Carlos Baleba sends Man Utd fans into meltdown with cheeky post ahead of Arsenal clash

Manchester United fans have spotted what Carlos Baleba posted ahead of their Premier League clash against Arsenal.

The Brighton midfielder has been linked with a transfer to Old Trafford since the beginning of August.

However, The Athletic's David Ornstein reported on Friday that United are 'not planning' to proceed with the deal due to Brighton's unwillingness to sell.

It is also claimed that they are demanding a similar fee for the 21-year-old to the £115 million that Chelsea paid to sign Moises Caicedo in 2023.

Baleba started Brighton's 1-1 draw against Fulham on Saturday, before being substituted on 65 minutes.

United, meanwhile, are preparing to host Arsenal at Old Trafford in their opening game of the Premier League season.

Ruben Amorim's side could start the clash with a brand-new attack, having signed Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko for a combined fee of almost £200 million.

The speculation over Baleba has now quietened, but United have been linked with a host of other midfielders.

And the Cameroonian appeared to reference his own situation in an Instagram post after Brighton's home draw.

Image: Instagram/@carlos_baleba

He wrote: "Just me doing the thing I love most. Had fun playing at home with the boys.

"Nothing new here, just my number and a haircut. #areyouabaleba."

What Baleba's hashtag means

The #areyouabaleba hashtag is in reference to United legend Rio Ferdinand, who coined the tag earlier this month upon United's first links to Baleba.

Ferdinand has repeatedly praised the Cameroon midfielder on his YouTube podcast, 'Rio Ferdinand Presents', and recently explained why United should be signing him this summer.

"Watch his clips, man," he said. "They know [modern midfielders] how to press high, that's part of the game now. It's the ones behind enabling them to go, and not look back.

"Baleba, his biggest thing for me, is to be able to transfer the ball from the backline, our back area, through to the eights and the 10s. Either driving with it, or getting it and playing.

"That's what we don't have - ball progression. Just stop the transitions."