Baleba hamstring injury could rule him out for weeks

Manchester United entered the season hoping Carlos Baleba’s £70m summer signing would add force and mobility, yet his hamstring injury on Tuesday has set the club back, leaving a midfield test that could see him miss crucial weeks of action.

Carlos Baleba arrived from Brighton for a £70m fee in the summer, tasked with bolstering the centre of Michael Carrick’s midfield. His signing was intended to raise United’s athletic profile.

He now appears set for a spell on the sidelines that may stretch deep into the winter. That absence threatens United’s plans for the coming months.

Baleba felt a hamstring pull during United’s comeback win against Roma on Tuesday, collapsing at the start of the second half. He left the pitch in visible distress, confirming the seriousness of the injury.

The setback could rule him out of the Anfield visit on 22 November and the Champions League tie with Sporting CP three days later. That loss would further strain United’s midfield options.

Midfield options under pressure

Baleba has started only five matches since joining from Brighton, an ankle problem having delayed his debut. Those limited appearances have offered only a glimpse of his potential.

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When on the pitch he displayed the speed, ball recovery and transition acceleration United hoped to purchase. His style fits the dynamic midfield Carrick seeks.

Carrick confirmed the prognosis remains incomplete, though the broad outline is clear. The manager admitted uncertainty over the exact timetable.

‘We don’t know, but it will be a number of weeks,’ Michael Carrick said, adding ‘It won’t be after the international break; it’ll be a little bit longer.’ His comments underline the prolonged nature of the absence.

December holds seven fixtures, including a trip to Arsenal on 20 December, with no guarantee Baleba will be fit by then. That congested schedule leaves United scrambling for alternatives.

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Defender Patrick Dorgu has returned to partial training after his own hamstring trouble. His gradual comeback may provide some cover.

Whether Dorgu will feature against Aston Villa remains undecided. United appear cautious after successive muscle problems.

The club now faces a midfield test that will shape its winter campaign. How United adapt will determine whether the summer investment can still deliver.