Barcelona boss Hansi Flick is content to keep Alejandro Balde rotting on the bench, which could push the left-back to Manchester United in January.

The 22-year-old has endured a significant fall from grace in recent seasons. Balde burst onto the scene in 2022 and quickly established himself as one of the most exciting left-backs in world football.

However, he has since failed to really kick on. While he remains highly rated, his performances have plateaued at a solid but not great level, prompting Barcelona boss Flick to replace him this summer.

The German permanently integrated La Masia prospect Xavi Espart into his first team, and the 19-year-old has started six of Barcelona's eight LaLiga games so far this term. When he hasn't played, summer signing Joao Cancelo has been given the nod at left-back.

This has restricted Balde to a measly 12 minutes of action against promoted side Racing Santander. He has been an unused substitute in eight matches and was completely omitted from the squad on opening day amid rumours that he could leave the club.

Balde needs to get out of Barcelona

Man Utd held talks with Balde's agent Jorge Mendes in the latter stages of the transfer window, but they ultimately baulked at the financial requirements. Not only was his wage deemed too high, but the Red Devils also did not want to sign him permanently straight away.

The Manchester outfit would have preferred a try-before-you-buy formula, but Barcelona were only willing to consider an outright sale for a fee in the region of €40 million. With Balde not keen to leave, nothing developed.

The situation is now radically different heading into January. Balde finds himself on the outside looking in, and the prospects that this will change anytime soon are looking slim. Coach Flick is happy with the status quo.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's clash with Real Betis, the 61-year-old praised Balde's professionalism but also made it clear that there is no reason for him to drop the "incredible" Espart and Cancelo.

"I know it's not easy for him, but he's training well," Flick said. "In this position, with Espart and Cancelo, we have two players at an incredible level. That's all I can say."

He added: "I'm happy with this situation. Obviously, it's not easy for him. But he's being very professional, and that's what I want. In these situations, he has to show that he's ready when needed. And he's doing that."

Reading between the lines, it is clear that there is no way back for the 22-year-old. This is unsurprising and likely an instruction from above. Barcelona need to make sales in January after failing to raise as much money from first-team departures as expected in the summer.

Balde is a prime candidate to be offloaded mid-season, and it is being made abundantly clear to him that he is surplus to requirements. This is good news for Man Utd, who desperately need to bring in a left-back in the winter.

With Lewis Hall seemingly unattainable after signing a new contract at Newcastle, Man Utd may have to bite the bullet and bring in someone like Balde, who may not be at the top of their shortlist.

Head coach Michael Carrick has already confirmed that the Red Devils will "definitely be looking at" possible mid-season reinforcements after enduring their worst start to a campaign in 40 years and facing public criticism from defender Lisandro Martinez over a lack of investment.