“I WAS SO CLOSE TO JOINING UNITED… BUT WHAT AMORIM DID CHANGED EVERYTHING!”
In a stunning twist that has left the football world buzzing, Brighton’s young midfield prodigy Carlos Baleba has revealed the surprising reason his highly anticipated move to Manchester United may now be falling apart — and at the centre of the drama is Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim.
For weeks, reports suggested that the 20-year-old Cameroonian was on the verge of sealing a dream transfer to Old Trafford. Negotiations had reportedly reached an advanced stage, with personal terms close to being finalised.
Baleba himself had expressed excitement over the possibility, describing the idea of playing for Manchester United as an ambition he had long cherished. Fans began to believe that the announcement was imminent.
However, in a dramatic revelation, Baleba told reporters that private discussions behind closed doors had changed everything.
According to the midfielder, Amorim allegedly made comments to Brighton’s leadership that have cast serious doubt over the deal.
“I was extremely close to joining United,” Baleba stated, his frustration evident. “But when I learned what Amorim told the board to stop the transfer, I was shocked. I’ve respected him for years, but after this, that respect has completely disappeared.”
Although neither Baleba nor Brighton have officially disclosed the exact details, multiple sources claim Amorim advised Brighton to hold on to their star for at least another season.
He is said to have warned that moving to United at this stage could harm Baleba’s development and that the player would be better served staying in a more stable environment for now.
This intervention has left Baleba feeling not only disappointed, but also personally betrayed.
The young midfielder has previously spoken about his admiration for Amorim’s tactical intelligence and leadership. Now, those feelings appear to have soured completely.
Some analysts suggest Amorim’s advice may have been given with the player’s best interests at heart, pointing to Manchester United’s recent struggles and uncertainty under Erik ten Hag.
Others, however, believe it was inappropriate for the Sporting boss to influence another club’s transfer decisions, sparking a heated debate among fans and pundits.
The reaction has been swift and divided. Manchester United supporters have flooded social media with accusations that Amorim has deliberately sabotaged their club’s transfer plans.
Brighton fans, meanwhile, are split between wanting to keep their talented midfielder and sympathising with his desire to take the next step in his career.
As the transfer window remains open, Baleba now faces a dilemma: push for his dream move despite Brighton’s hesitations, or stay put knowing that a manager he once admired may have played a decisive role in preventing it.
One thing is clear — what seemed like a straightforward transfer has erupted into one of the most talked-about sagas of the summer.
Whether Baleba ends up at Old Trafford or not, this behind-the-scenes drama is certain to leave lasting tension between the player and the man he once considered a role model.
