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Michael Carrick is optimistic that summer recruit Carlos Baleba could make his Manchester United bow before the international break in September, even as the midfielder continues to nurse an ankle problem.
The Red Devils forked out $88.6 million (£65 million) for the 22-year-old from Brighton & Hove Albion, rounding off their midfield overhaul following the earlier acquisitions of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans during the transfer window.
United had pursued Baleba the previous summer but were put off by Brighton's steep $136 million (£100 million) asking price at the time. They have now landed their man, however, with his value dropping considerably following a patchy 2025–26 campaign on the south coast.
The Cameroon international will not be available for United's upcoming fixture against Ipswich Town this weekend, with Carrick confirming he will be sidelined for another "couple of weeks" due to an ankle complaint he brought with him upon joining.
"He's got a little ankle issue," Carrick told reporters. "So, maybe a couple of weeks or so [until he debuts], maybe three weeks, we'll see. But we knew that before, so it's no major issue. It'll be great to have him back when we can."
When asked whether Baleba could return before the international break, which kicks off on Sept. 21, Carrick responded: "It's obviously new, you know, having the break to deal with. But we'll wait and see. We'll wait and see. We're hopeful, but I don't want to put any deadlines on it just yet."
Why Man Utd Will Miss Baleba After Opening Day Slip-Up
In a familiar story for United in recent seasons, they stumbled in their Premier League curtain-raiser. A visit to newly-promoted Hull City appeared a manageable task on paper, yet a below-par display led to a humbling 2–0 loss at the MKM Stadium.
United's latest midfield recruits, Santos and Tielemans, both failed to impress on their competitive first outings and were hauled off in the 67th minute. Baleba's tenacity and drive would have been a welcome addition.
The ex-Brighton man will be absent for the Ipswich encounter, where he is set to be presented to the Old Trafford faithful. History points to another difficult afternoon for United, who have consistently made sluggish starts in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Indeed, they have not won their second Premier League match of a season since a 4–0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in the 2020–21 campaign, a run that has included defeats to the Seagulls, Tottenham Hotspur and, most notoriously, Brentford.
United have also claimed victory in only three of their last six opening home games of the season, a sobering statistic as they prepare to face Ipswich at Old Trafford.
Baleba is not the sole injury concern thinning Carrick's squad, as Amad Diallo is also set to be absent for the foreseeable future. Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte remain on the sidelines, while Mason Mount is uncertain after missing the defeat at Hull.