Manchester United midfielder Carlos Baleba is targeted to make his long-awaited debut in next month’s Premier League clash against Leeds United. The summer signing from Brighton has been sidelined with an ankle ligament injury sustained during pre-season training.
Michael Carrick is desperate for midfield reinforcements. United shelled out big money for the midfielder despite his pre-season ankle blow, proving just how badly INEOS wanted a dominant anchor in their double pivot. While Matthijs de Ligt and Amad near full fitness, Mason Mount has already returned to ease Old Trafford’s crippling injury crisis. But Baleba remains the missing piece of the puzzle. He has been forced onto an individual training program, working in isolation while his new teammates fight on the pitch.
Reports indicate that United medical staff have finally set a return date for the former Brighton standout. As reported: “Roundtable understands that Manchester United are targeting next month’s fixture against Leeds United for Carlos Baleba’s long-awaited debut.” The report added that “The former Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder picked up an ankle ligament injury in pre-season for his former club and has yet to train with his new teammates since moving to Old Trafford, as he remains on an individual training plan.”
Squeezing Baleba into Carrick’s matchday squad against fierce rivals Leeds cannot come soon enough. November presents a daunting fixture pile-up that could define United’s campaign. Carrick faces a testing run of games, including a European clash against Como followed by high-stakes league showdowns with Chelsea, Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Bournemouth. Without a ball-winning midfielder to break up play and withstand heavy opposition pressing, United risk getting overrun in the engine room. Baleba’s return offers immediate defensive stability when Carrick needs it most.
The report concluded: “If Carlos Baleba makes the matchday squad for the Leeds game, it will be music to Carrick’s ears given the packed schedule later this year.
A Champions League clash against Como and league encounters against Bournemouth, Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa are all lined up for November.
It could be make-or-break for Carrick, and he needs all the help he can get.
_Feature image Dan Mullan via Getty Images_
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After failing to become a professional footballer, Ayantan switched to the next best thing: writing about the greatest football club in the world. He has extensive sports journalism experience, having worked for over 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the and . Currently the Deputy Managing Editor at The Peoples Person. You can
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