Carlos Baleba's Injury Update: Manchester United's £70 Million Signing

Carlos Baleba will have to wait to pull on a Manchester United shirt, with Michael Carrick confirming the £70 million signing is 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 as part of United’s midfield overhaul this summer. He arrived to a fanbase eager to see him in red. They will have to be patient.

Carrick revealed the Cameroon international is carrying an ankle problem that will keep him out of Sunday’s Premier League opener at Old Trafford against promoted Ipswich – and likely a couple of games beyond that.

"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."

United director of football Jason Wilcox had already set expectations high, describing Baleba as "an elite midfielder with immense potential to develop further." The club see him as a long-term pillar in the centre of the pitch. For now, his first task is simply to get fit.

Injury timing and debut intrigue

Baleba’s ankle trouble had already kept him out of Brighton’s Conference League fixtures and their Premier League opener. Carrick’s suggested timeline hints at a tantalising prospect: a potential United debut against his former club.

United face Albion in the Carabao Cup before travelling to Fulham on September 20, their final match before the international break. Tottenham then visit Old Trafford on October 10. Somewhere in that run, if recovery goes to plan, Baleba should finally step into Carrick’s midfield.

Asked whether Baleba and Amad Diallo could be back before the three-week international break, Carrick refused to lock himself into dates.

"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 at least gives Carrick another senior option as he tries to steady the start of United’s season.

Carrick’s vision for Baleba

If the wait is frustrating, the excitement around Baleba is clear. Carrick spoke with real conviction about the profile of midfielder United have secured.

"We're delighted to have Carlos," he 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 want Baleba to bring a different edge to a midfield already reshaped by Santos and Tielemans. Power, range, and a slightly different rhythm to what Carrick currently has. His absence delays that tactical evolution, but does not dampen the expectation.

Response required after Hull setback

The injury news lands in a week when United are already under pressure. A 2-0 defeat at play-off winners Hull on the opening weekend has sharpened the focus on Carrick’s side.

Marcus Rashford, given extra rest after the World Cup, came on at half-time in that game alongside Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo as United chased a way back. They never found it.

Carrick, though, insists he has options and intends to use them.

"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," he said. "We'll pick a team for the weekend but, yeah, certainly the boys are massively in contention."

Ipswich at Old Trafford now feels like more than just a home game against a promoted side. It is a chance to reset the mood, to show the depth Carrick talks about, and to prove that the club’s heavy investment in midfield will soon start to shape the season rather than sit in the treatment room.