Barcelona make brutal Alejandro Balde decision as Hansi Flick uncertainty offers Man Utd hope | OneFootball

Barcelona appear to be planning for a future without Alejandro Balde at a time when Manchester United are desperately looking for a new left-back.

Balde has played 168 times for Barcelona since making his debut in the 2021-22 season, in another example of the club’s hugely successful academy.

In September 2023, the Spain international signed a new deal until 2028, which reportedly had a €1billion (£856.4m) buyout clause.

The defender played 42 times last season but with the summer arrival of Portuguese full-back Joao Cancelo, it seems he may not feature so prominently this term.

Indeed, based on manager Hansi Flick’s comments, some may have been left with more questions than answers about Balde’s future at Barcelona.

He told reporters on Saturday, “It’s a difficult question because he’s [Balde] a player of immense quality, and it’s important to know if he’s confident he can compete in his position.

That’s what I want to see from all my players. Every day I observe what they do, their level, whether they demonstrate that they’re at the level to play.

“Ultimately, we have to play as a team; only then will we achieve success. I need everyone to be one hundred percent.”

That somewhat cryptic response didn’t give much away. But according to Fabrizio Romano, Flick’s matchday selection has spoken volumes.

Barcelona open to Alejandro Balde transfer exit

The transfer journalist claimed that Balde, midfielder Marc Casado and defender Hector Fort have “chances” to leave Barcelona this month.

He tweeted on Sunday ahead of Barca’s La Liga clash with Elche, “Alejandro Balde, Marc Casadó and Hector Fort are not in Barcelona[‘s] matchday squad for today’s game vs Elche. They all have chances to leave Barcelona before the end of the window.”

Meanwhile at Man Utd, they were sent homeward to think again after their damaging 2-0 defeat away at newly promoted Hull City in their Premier League opener.

In that loss at MKM Stadium on Saturday, Luke Shaw played at left-back, while left wing-back Patrick Dorgu operated as a left winger from the start.

Neither had a particularly good game as Michael Carrick was left with much to ponder. Indeed, captain Bruno Fernandes made a worrying claim after the defeat.

He told TNT Sports, “Same mistakes as we did last season in every away game. We give too much of the ball to them. In the first 20 minutes the goalkeeper had more touches on the ball, too much time.

“We need to press a little bit more, be more aggressive, and set-plays – we need to work on it, to be more aggressive and try not to concede these types of goals.”

Whether they can right those wrongs at home to Ipswich Town next Sunday remains to be seen. In the meantime, Man Utd fans will hope they can bring in some extra quality, one of which could be Balde.