Michael Carrick during the Champions League 2026-27 match between Manchester United and Sabah at Old Trafford, inset former Brighton midfielder Car...
Michael Carrick during the Champions League 2026-27 match between Manchester United and Sabah at Old Trafford, inset former Brighton midfielder Car...
Michael Carrick will not be able to use Manchester United summer signing Carlos Baleba against Brighton in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
Carlos Baleba left Brighton in the summer and completed a stunning move to Old Trafford after the Red Devils signed him for an initial £65m and £5m in add-ons.
However, the former Brighton midfielder has not featured in the opening five matches in Manchester United’s 2026-27 campaign under Michael Carrick so far.
Ahead of the upcoming Carabao Cup clash, United In Focus has compiled the biggest injury concerns facing Carrick’s squad picks for Wednesday evening’s tie.
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Carlos Baleba of Manchester United signs autographs during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Ipswich Town at Old Trafford on August 30, 2026 in Manchester, United Kingdom.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
1. Luke Shaw — DOUBT
Luke Shaw has missed Manchester United’s 4-0 win over Sabah in the Champions League and the Red Devils’ 1-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester City.
The 31-year-old Red Devils left-back was forced off in United’s 2-2 draw with Everton due to a cramp, but Luke Shaw could soon return to action.
“Luke is not quite ready,” Michael Carrick told Sky Sports on Sunday, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“But he is very close. It’s very small but, unfortunately, not for today.”
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2. Carlos Baleba — MISS
Carlos Baleba is unlikely to cross paths with his former side after being left on the sidelines due to an ankle ligament injury he picked up at Brighton in the summer.
The 22-year-old Cameroon international is expected to remain sidelined for the Carabao Cup clash and is now tipped to make his Man Utd debut next month.
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Getty Images
3. Amad Diallo — MISS
Just like Carlos Baleba, Amad Diallo has not featured for United once during the 2026-27 Premier League campaign after an injury setback in the summer.
Amad Diallo has been nursing an ankle issue that he suffered in training ahead of the new season and is expected to return to action in the coming weeks for United.
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4. Manuel Ugarte — MISS
A long-term absentee for the Red Devils, Manuel Ugarte saw his 2026-27 season cut short after his serious knee ligament injury during the World Cup in the summer.
Manchester United’s official website last week shared an update on the 25-year-old midfielder and confirmed that he is still undergoing rehabilitation at Carrington.
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5. Matthijs de Ligt — MISS
Just like Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt has been undergoing rehabilitation after his back problem in 2025 and subsequent surgery on the same issue in the summer.
Matthijs de Ligt has been training with the United first-team squad at times, but the 27-year-old Netherlands international is still out of action due to his recovery.