Michael Carrick has had a chaotic start to the season
Michael Carrick after the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick is under pressure at Old Trafford(Image: Ash Donelon, Manchester United via Getty Images)
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A crucial victory against Fulham this weekend would provide much-needed breathing room for Michael Carrick.
Manchester United have endured a rocky start to the 2026/27 Premier League season, picking up only one win from their first four matches. JJ Gabriel's desire to leave Old Trafford has only added to the discontent surrounding Old Trafford.
The revelation of the teenage star's situation was swiftly followed by Wednesday's Carabao Cup exit against Brighton. While Carrick remains under severe scrutiny, United's reported proactive stance in handling the Gabriel situation could aid him.
To bolster his options on the pitch, the latest injury update suggests the manager could welcome a key player back into the squad. Here's the latest news coming out of United...
JJ Gabriel claim revealed
JJ Gabriel of Manchester United in action during the Premier League 2 match between Manchester United and Ipswich Town at Leigh Sports Village on August 24, 2026 in Leigh, England
JJ Gabriel's future at Manchester United is uncertain(Image: 2026 Manchester United FC)
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The 15-year-old left supporters reeling this week by notifying United of his intention to cancel his registration. The forward's boundless potential has earned widespread acclaim and he secured the Premier League Under-18 Player of the Year award last season.
United retain optimism that they can persuade Gabriel to stay at the club he has represented since the age of 11. According to Fabrizio Romano, their approach to achieving this won't involve throwing money at the problem.
Instead, the club will look to retain the highly-regarded youngster by holding talks with Gabriel, his family and those representing him. United have the option to challenge or reject Gabriel's request to cancel his registration.
Carlos Baleba injury update
Carlos Baleba of Manchester United arrives ahead of the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albio
Carlos Baleba is nearing a return to fitness(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Carlos Baleba could finally make his long-awaited United debut against Fulham after returning to training. The 22- year-old has been sidelined since his £65million switch to Manchester, having sustained an ankle injury during pre-season with Brighton.
According to The Athletic, a return to first-team action could be on the horizon for the Cameroonian. However, supporters may need to wait until next month before they see the midfielder in competitive action.
Club officials are reportedly weighing up the possibility of keeping him at Carrington during the international break, rather than allowing him to link up with the Cameroon national side. Baleba had been a long-standing target for United and is widely expected to become a cornerstone of their midfield setup for the foreseeable future.