Carlos Baleba to Miss 2-3 Weeks as Man Utd Look to Rebound from 2-0 Hull Loss

New £70 million signing Carlos Baleba is sidelined for up to three weeks with an ankle injury and will miss Manchester United's upcoming clash against Ipswich.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has confirmed that new £70 million ($95m) signing Carlos Baleba will be unavailable for selection for the next two to three weeks. The Cameroon international is recovering from an ankle injury sustained during preseason while he was still a member of the Brighton squad. This medical update comes as United prepare for their next fixture at Old Trafford following a 2-0 defeat against Hull City. Carrick noted during a Friday news conference that the midfielder is unlikely to feature for the club before the first international break of the season, which is scheduled to begin on September 21, 2026.

Injury Timetable for Baleba and Amad

Carrick described the situation as a "little ankle issue" but emphasized that the club was aware of the physical setback prior to finalizing the transfer from Brighton. While the head coach declined to set a firm deadline for a return to competitive action, he indicated that the recovery process would likely span a couple of weeks, potentially extending to three. The manager expressed high expectations for the midfielder, citing his "massive potential" and labeling the arrival an exciting addition to the roster.

In addition to Baleba’s absence, Amad Diallo has been ruled out for the upcoming visit of Ipswich. Amad was unable to participate in training sessions this week and previously missed the club's trip to Hull. Carrick stated that the attacker will be out for a longer period than Baleba, though he did not provide a specific return date for the player. Former United striker Wayne Rooney has publicly supported the signing of Baleba, describing the Cameroon international as a "top player" expected to excel at Old Trafford.

Squad Rotations for Ipswich Fixture

Manchester United are seeking a victory following their recent two-goal loss to Hull City. For the Sunday match against Ipswich, Carrick suggested that several high-profile players are in contention to return to the starting lineup. Marcus Rashford, Lisandro Martínez, and Kobbie Mainoo are all pushing for starts as the coaching staff evaluates different combinations within the squad. The head coach noted that the depth of the current roster allows for a variety of tactical selections despite the current injury list.

Transfer Market and League Context

The £70 million acquisition of Baleba remains a central point of focus for the Manchester United rebuild under Carrick. While United manages these internal fitness concerns, other activity continues across the league. Liverpool remains interested in Sarr following the completion of a deal for Barcola, and Manchester City has secured a move for Allan Elias, a versatile player capable of operating as a winger, midfielder, and defender. United’s immediate priority remains the Sunday kickoff at Old Trafford, where they will attempt to secure three points without their new midfield signing or the injured Amad.