Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has delivered a major boost by revealing that Carlos Baleba is closing in on his long-awaited return to action.
Baleba completed a £65 million move from Brighton & Hove Albion to Old Trafford this summer.
The Cameroon international suffered an ankle injury during pre-season with the Seagulls, but that setback did not stop the Red Devils from securing his signature.
Carrick was asked whether Baleba could be fit and available after the upcoming international break.
The 45-year-old said in the pre-match press conference: “Yeah, he definitely will be (after the international break). He’ll be back in and around the group at some point over the next week or so. So that means, after the internationals, he should be in good shape.
“You know he’s came and, with being injured, then he’s desperate to get out there and be part of the group and training fully with the boys.
“He’s obviously a quality player. It’s why we brought him here and he balances off the dynamics of the midfield particularly well.”
United face Brighton (Carabao Cup) and Fulham (Premier League) over the next five days.
Baleba is likely to make his United debut against Tottenham Hotspur on October 10.
Baleba will add dynamism to the Man Utd midfield
The 22-year-old is a midfield powerhouse and could provide exactly the profile Carrick has been missing in his squad.
Baleba and Kobbie Mainoo could form an exciting partnership, with both youngsters adding more physicality to their games this summer.
While Baleba thrives when carrying the ball through midfield, Mainoo possesses the finesse and vision to split defensive lines with incisive passes.
The Cameroon international is not renowned for his distribution, but that is an area where he could make significant strides under Carrick.
He already has close to 100 Premier League appearances under his belt.
He should have little trouble settling in and will be hoping to make an immediate impact as Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have done at the Theatre of Dreams.
United fans are already eagerly anticipating his first appearance in the famous red shirt and will be desperate to see him fulfil the promise he showed during his time at Brighton.
Stats from Fotmob.com