Manchester United dealt midfield blow as Carrick confirms Baleba out for weeks

Abdullateef Fowewe

Manchester United manager, Michael Carrick has provided a fresh update on the fitness of midfielder Carlos Baleba, confirming the Cameroon international will be sidelined for several weeks with a hamstring injury.

The club’s in a statement on Friday said, “The boss has a fresh update on the fitness of Carlos Baleba.”

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa, Carrick said, “Carlos we don’t know exactly but it will be a number of weeks. It’s definitely not this week or over the international break, it will be a little bit longer than that.”

Baleba was forced off in discomfort during United’s 3-2 Champions League victory over AS Roma earlier this week.

The 22-year-old, who joined from Brighton in a £70 million deal in the summer of 2026, has struggled with fitness issues since arriving at Old Trafford.

He missed the start of the season with an ankle problem and has made only a limited number of appearances so far.

The injury rules him out of the home game against Villa and the upcoming November international break.

It remains unclear whether the energetic midfielder will return before the busy December schedule, which includes matches against Liverpool, Sporting CP and Arsenal.

The setback leaves Carrick short in central midfield as United continue their mixed start to the 2026-27 campaign.