Manchester United may finally be about to see Carlos Baleba in action, and that matters. When a club spends £70 million on a midfielder, the expectation is immediate impact. So far, injury has got in the way.
The 22-year-old arrived from Brighton in the summer, carrying both a sizeable fee and a clear brief, add energy, power and control to a midfield that has lacked all three at key moments. An ankle problem picked up in pre-season has delayed that plan, but the situation has shifted quickly.
Earlier in the week, Michael Carrick suggested Baleba was nearing a return to full training, with post-international break minutes seen as the realistic target. Now the United manager has gone further. Baleba is in contention for this weekend, which changes the conversation around a team that badly needs a lift.
Photo: IMAGO
Manchester United need fresh energy
United’s start has been poor. Four points from four Premier League matches is not where they expected to be, and a home defeat to Brighton in the Carabao Cup has added more noise around Carrick’s position. That is what happens at a club of this size. Results dictate the mood.
Baleba’s possible return does not solve everything, but it gives United a different profile in midfield, athletic, aggressive and capable of driving the game forward. At a time when the side has looked short of rhythm, that is useful.
Luke Shaw fitness latest before weekend
There is also some encouragement on Luke Shaw. The left-back has missed the last three matches after last featuring in the 2-2 draw at Everton. Carrick said of Shaw: “It is really short term [with Shaw] but it is just working towards the game.”
That is cautious rather than definitive, but it suggests Shaw is close. United need bodies back, and they need quality back even more.
Michael Carrick remains under pressure
Carrick knows the scrutiny is there, but his message has been straightforward. “We’ve got to put things in perspective: it’s not a catastrophe or…
..
