Michael Carrick calls for patience as Man Utd new boy Carlos Baleba nears long-awaited debut
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick explains why Carlos Baleba's debut is being delayed, citing the need for full fitness after pre-season injury setbacks.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 / Author: LHC88
Michael Carrick is urging patience as Manchester United new signing Carlos Baleba works his way back to full fitness. The midfielder, who arrived from Brighton in the summer, missed significant portions of the pre-season program due to an injury sustained during his time on the south coast.
After being an unused substitute during the recent fixture against Fulham, Baleba has been ramping up his recovery. He recently featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Lausanne-Sport at Carrington, marking a positive step in his return to first-team contention.
He's certainly getting closer, Carlos. It's been great to have him out on the grass and to see him up close really. And he played a little bit in a training game that we had last week, so that was good for him to get some minutes. I think the other side of it a little bit, he has missed a lot, and he's missed crucial time in terms of the end of pre-season. Michael Carrick
Ahead of this weekend's clash against Tottenham Hotspur, the coaching staff remains cautious. Carrick emphasized that Baleba is viewed as a long-term project, and the priority is to ensure he is fully conditioned to prevent any recurring issues that could disrupt his debut campaign at Old Trafford.
While fans are eager to see the new signing in action, Carrick pointed out that the current midfield unit already possesses depth and quality. Baleba's eventual return will offer extra athleticism and ball-winning traits, providing the manager with more tactical options as the club navigates a busy schedule across domestic and European competitions.