Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has
confirmed that new signing Carlos Baleba could be sidelined for around three
weeks with an ankle injury, delaying the midfielder’s much-anticipated debut.
Baleba joined United from Brighton in a reported £70
million ($95 million) deal, further strengthening Carrick’s midfield
options following the arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.
However, the Cameroonian international may have to
wait until October to make his first appearance for the Red Devils, with his
recovery potentially overlapping with next month’s three-week international
break.
“He’s got a little ankle issue, so maybe a couple of
weeks or so, maybe three weeks,” Carrick said during his pre-match press
conference ahead of United’s clash with Ipswich on Sunday.
“We knew that before, so it’s no major issue, but
it’ll be great to have him back when we can.”
Carrick expressed his excitement about Baleba’s
arrival, highlighting the midfielder’s potential and the different qualities he
is expected to bring to the squad.
“We’re delighted to have Carlos. I think he has huge
potential, massive potential. I think he’s a really exciting signing for us,”
the United boss said.
He added that Baleba’s technical qualities and
physical attributes would provide greater balance to the midfield, offering
Carrick different options and combinations.
Carrick was handed the United job on a permanent basis
after guiding the club to a third-place finish in the Premier League last
season during his interim spell in charge.
The new campaign, however, began poorly, with United
suffering a 2-0 defeat away to newly promoted Hull City last weekend.
Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez
started that match on the bench after missing much of pre-season because of
their involvement in the latter stages of the World Cup.
Carrick confirmed that all three players could return
to the starting XI against Ipswich, while Amad Diallo is set to miss another
game due to injury.
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