Manchester United are hopeful midfielder Carlos Baleba will be able to make his debut for the club before the September international break, but manager Michael Carrick refused to put any deadlines on his recovery from an ankle injury.
Baleba this week completed a £70million move to Old Trafford from Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Cameroon international’s arrival should significantly boost the United midfield by bringing some much-needed physicality to the engine room.
But United will have to wait a little while before they can reap the benefits of his signing because of his injury, which is expected to keep him on the sideline for at least two more weeks.
Domestic football takes a significant break next month, with the next international break stretching from September 21 to October 6.
Should Baleba fail to return before the break, his United debut will likely come on October 10 when they host Tottenham.
But Carrick does not see Baleba’s lay-off as a significant problem.
“He’s got a little ankle issue,” Carrick told his pre-match press conference ahead of the visit of newly promoted Ipswich Town.
“So, maybe a couple of weeks or so, maybe three weeks, we’ll see. But we knew that before, so it’s no major issue. It’ll be great to have him back when we can.
“We’re delighted to have Carlos. He has huge potential, he’s a really exciting signing or us, the quality he has, the attributes he has offset the balance of the group we’ve got.
“Different strengths, different combinations. So much more to come from him as well, so it’s exciting for us.”
United are also without Amad Diallo after the Ivorian sustained a knock in training, with Carrick unsure if either he or Baleba will be available before club football takes an extended pause.
“It’s obviously new, you know, having the break to deal with,” Carrick added.
“But we’ll wait and see. We’ll wait and see. We’re hopeful, but I don’t want to put any deadlines on it just yet.”
