Carlos Baleba's Injury Update: Manchester United Debut Delayed

Carlos Baleba’s Manchester United debut is on ice, with Michael Carrick confirming the £70 million midfielder will be sidelined for around three weeks with an ankle injury.

The 22-year-old completed his move from Brighton on Tuesday, joining Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans in a rebuilt United midfield. Hype arrived with him. Minutes on the pitch will have to wait.

Carrick: “No major issue” – but no quick debut

Baleba reported to Old Trafford carrying an ankle problem, one that immediately rules him out of Sunday’s Premier League home game against promoted Ipswich and the fixtures that follow.

"He's got a little ankle issue, so maybe a couple of weeks or so, maybe three weeks," Carrick said. "We'll see but we knew that before, so it's no major issue but it'll be great to have him back when we can."

The injury had already cost the Cameroon international a place in Brighton’s Conference League squad and their Premier League opener. Now, Carrick’s timeframe points towards a possible first United appearance against his former club.

United face Albion in the Carabao Cup before travelling to Fulham on September 20, their last outing before hosting Tottenham after the international break on October 10. Somewhere in that run, United hope, Baleba’s first steps in red will come.

Director of football Jason Wilcox has already set the bar high, describing Baleba as "an elite midfielder with immense potential to develop further". The wait only sharpens the anticipation.

Excitement builds over “massive potential”

Inside Carrick’s dressing room, the belief in Baleba’s ceiling is clear.

"We're delighted to have Carlos," the United boss said. "I think huge potential, massive potential. I think he's a really exciting signing for us.

"I think the quality that he has, the attributes that he has that offsets a little bit of the balance of the group that we've got. Different strengths, different combinations.

"So, for us to have that, absolutely delighted to have him. I think there's so much more to come from him as well, which with the player that he already is with that little bit more to come is exciting for us."

United see him as a midfielder who can change the chemistry of the side, not just add depth. For now, though, his impact remains theoretical.

Injury picture: Amad out, Mount back in the fold

Baleba is not the only name on the treatment table. Asked if the new signing and Amad Diallo could return before the three-week international break, Carrick refused to circle dates on the calendar.

"It's obviously new, the break to deal with, but we'll wait and see," he said. "We're hopeful but I don't want to put any deadlines on it just yet.

"Amad won't be involved this week. He'll be out for a little bit longer. Mase (Mason Mount) is back around the group, which was great. Trained this week, so that's a big positive for us."

Mount’s return to full training offers a timely lift, especially with United still smarting from a miserable opening day.

Response required after nightmare start

Last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at play-off winners Hull left United chasing their season almost as soon as it started. Carrick turned to his stars at the break, sending on Marcus Rashford after the forward was given extended rest following the World Cup. Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo also stepped in from the bench.

The message was clear: reputations alone will not carry this side. Choices will.

"We've got a squad to choose from. We've got a good squad and we could pick a variety kind of combinations within the team," Carrick said. "We'll pick a team for the weekend but, yeah, certainly the boys are massively in contention."

For now, United must find that response without their £70 million midfielder. When Baleba is finally ready, the question will not be whether he plays – but how quickly he can change the rhythm of a season that has already started on edge.