Man Utd have five free agent options to save millions on Carlos Baleba transfer

Manchester United splurged over £210million in the summer transfer window but failed to secure a new midfielder. After enduring their worst season in 51 years and only scoring 44 goals in 38 Premier League matches last season, the Reds chose to bolster their attack.

Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko were all snapped up for hefty sums before the new campaign kicked off. Goalkeeper Senne Lammens was the final addition on deadline day, becoming the fourth senior goalkeeper at the club. Ruben Amorim's side were briefly linked witha move for Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba. However, they backed out of negotiations after the Seagulls placed a massive £100m price-tag on him. It has also been claimed the Red Devils did not view midfield changes as a summer priority.

According to the Manchester Evening News, United did not view reinforcing their midfield as a summer priority. It's understood that the midfield was not high on their agenda due to the strong and versatile options already at the club.

Brighton's monstrous transfer demand Baleba also meant United's interest in the Cameroon international never came to fruition. Atalanta's Ederson, Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller and Corentin Tolisso were all also linked, but United remained focused on other targets.

Consequently, Amorim will have to make do with his current squad, at least for the first half of the season. However, if they are desperate to inject fresh blood into their midfield, they could turn to the free agent market.

In the wake of the summer player exodus, many footballers remain clubless and available for signing. Former United star Christian Eriksen is still on the market following the end of his contract at Old Trafford.

Josh Brownhill, the 29-year-old midfielder, reportedly rejected a move to Wolves late in the window and remains unattached. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also on the hunt for a new club after parting ways with Besiktas.

Oriol Romeu, who left Barcelona in the summer, is available alongside ex-Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko. Josh Dasilva, who left Brentford in June, brings Premier League experience to the table. Whether United will delve into the free agent market remains uncertain, but there are options should they choose to do so.

United have still looked flakey in midfield in their first three Premier League matches. Amorim has so far relied on a pivot of Bruno Fernandes, whose best qualities are in attacking areas, and Casemiro, who has struggled with playing in a two-man midfield under Amorim.

Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte are both options on the bench, but Amorim has shown little belief in the pair. Mainoo and Ugarte were deployed together in the League Cup exit to fourth division Grimsby Town, which saw the latter be substituted at half time by the United boss.