TEAM NEWS
Manchester United wait on Baleba debut as Amad misses Ipswich clash
Carlos Baleba is expected to remain sidelined for another two to three weeks with an ankle problem, while Amad Diallo will also miss Manchester United’s Premier League meeting with Ipswich. Mason Mount has returned to first-team training.
Manchester United will have to wait for Carlos Baleba’s debut after Michael Carrick confirmed that the club’s new £70million midfielder is expected to remain sidelined for another two to three weeks with an ankle problem.
Baleba, who completed his move from Brighton earlier this week, will miss Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Ipswich Town at Old Trafford. United were aware of the injury before completing the transfer and Carrick stressed that the issue is not considered serious.
The 22-year-old arrived as the third major addition to a reshaped United midfield this summer, following Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, but his first appearance will now be delayed while he completes his recovery.
“He’s got a little ankle issue, so maybe a couple of weeks or so, three weeks,” Carrick said on Friday. “We knew that before. It’s no major issue.”
Carrick added that United remain hopeful Baleba could become available before the upcoming international break, although the club are not placing a firm date on his return.
The manager will also be without Amad Diallo against Ipswich. The Ivory Coast international missed United’s opening Premier League defeat at Hull City and has not recovered in time for the club’s first home league fixture of the campaign.
There was more encouraging news over Mason Mount, who has returned to training with the first-team group after missing the 2-0 defeat at Hull.
Mount’s availability gives Carrick another option as he looks for a response to an opening weekend in which United were beaten by newly promoted opposition and failed to score.
The circumstances around Baleba are different. His absence was already factored into United’s planning when the transfer was completed, meaning Sunday will be another opportunity for Carrick to assess the midfield combinations available to him before one of the club’s most significant summer signings enters contention.
United face Ipswich at Old Trafford on Sunday before travelling to Everton the following weekend. A Manchester derby against City then follows on September 13, leaving Baleba’s recovery timetable particularly relevant as Carrick moves into the first demanding stretch of the new season.