Manchester United v AS Roma - UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD4
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Michael Carrick has spoken out about Carlos Baleba after the Manchester United summer signing’s injury setback against Roma in the Champions League.
Carlos Baleba and Kobbie Mainoo have shared the pitch together against Tottenham and Chelsea, but neither have started at the same time as the other for the Red Devils this season.
However, Michael Carrick was able to call upon the midfield dynamic between Baleba and Kobbie Mainoo for Manchester United’s starting XI against Roma at Old Trafford.
The key midfield partnership saw out the first half on Tuesday evening before it came to an end early in the second half of the Champions League fixture.
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Michael Carrick on Carlos Baleba’s status after the Man Utd midfielder was forced off at Old Trafford
Carlos Baleba appeared to suffer a setback to his hamstring, as the 22-year-old Cameroonian talent pulled up with an injury after trying to break forward. The Cameroon international, who arrived at Old Trafford from Brighton in the summer, received medical treatment from the Manchester United staff before Michael Carrick was forced to make a change.
Baleba made way in the 51st minute and was replaced by fellow Man Utd summer signing Youri Tielemans. The former Brighton star missed the opening months of the 2026-27 campaign at Old Trafford after he arrived at the Premier League club in August with a pre-season injury.
Speaking after Man Utd’s 3-2 comeback win over Roma, Red Devils boss Carrick admitted that he could not hide his concerns over Baleba’s suspected hamstring problem. The 45-year-old United legend added that he had no immediate update on how long Baleba could be out of action for the Red Devils.
“I haven’t got any more news on Carlos at this stage, but obviously it looks… It’s his hamstring,” Carrick said at his post-match press conference, as per HaytersTV.
The United manager added: “So, we’ll just have to assess what that looks like. I mean, initially, it doesn’t look great. Timelines? I haven’t got much more to give you.”
Baleba made his United debut against Tottenham in October after he overcame the ankle injury that he suffered in pre-season with Brighton. The Red Devils summer signing missed seven fixtures in the 2026-27 campaign ahead of his first match for United last month.
The former Lille midfielder has made seven appearances across all competitions for United this season. The Red Devils agreed a deal worth up to £70m with Premier League side Brighton to bring Baleba to Old Trafford in August.
Roma were 2-0 up against the Red Devils by the half-time whistle after Matias Soule and Donyell Malen both netted past Senne Lammens in Tuesday’s Champions League clash. However, Man Utd mounted a second-half comeback after Bruno Fernandes scored from the spot-kick before Matheus Cunha netted a stunning brace.