Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has confirmed that new signing Carlos Baleba is expected to be sidelined for up to three weeks due to an ankle injury. The 22-year-old midfielder joined the club from Brighton earlier this week for a reported £70 million but has not played since sustaining the injury last month.

Baleba’s setback is likely to keep him out of Manchester United’s upcoming fixtures, including the Premier League matches against Ipswich Town and Everton, the club’s first Champions League game, and the Manchester derby at Old Trafford scheduled for September 13. Additional fixtures such as the League Cup tie against his former club Brighton and the league match at Fulham also fall within the anticipated recovery period preceding the next international break.

Carrick described the injury as “no major issue” and noted that the club was aware of the condition before finalizing the transfer. He emphasized Baleba’s potential impact on the squad, highlighting the player’s varied strengths and how this addition balances the team’s midfield options. Baleba is the latest in a series of summer midfield recruits, which also include Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.

Director of football Jason Wilcox praised Baleba as an elite midfielder with significant room for further development, though the club’s supporters will need to wait before seeing him in competitive action.

In addition to Baleba, midfielder Mason Mount, who had been sidelined with a hamstring injury, has returned to training and may be available for selection in the upcoming game against Ipswich. In contrast, winger Amad Diallo remains out for an extended period and will not feature in the immediate fixtures. Carrick refrained from setting specific timelines for Diallo’s return, indicating caution in managing injury recoveries ahead of the international break.

Meanwhile, Carrick also commented on developments within United’s youth ranks. Fifteen-year-old JJ Gabriel, who made his debut with the under-21s recently and had previously appeared as a substitute in a pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid, continues to progress physically and technically as he gains experience. Carrick characterized Gabriel as a talented player undergoing the necessary adaptation to senior football.

Another young player, Harry Amass, who also featured for the under-21s, may leave the club before the transfer deadline if a left-back addition arrives to compete with Luke Shaw in the first team.

Manchester United’s injury and squad management remain integral as they navigate a demanding schedule early in the season, with key new signings expected to bolster the team once fit.