Manchester United v AS Roma - UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD4
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Rio Ferdinand has spoken on Carlos Baleba after the Manchester United summer signing picked up an injury in the Red Devils’ comeback win over Roma.
Carlos Baleba started for Manchester United alongside England international Kobbie Mainoo in the heart of the midfield for Tuesday’s Champions League clash.
The 22-year-old Cameroonian midfield talent put on a steady display in the opening 45 minutes, despite United conceding twice to Roma in the first half at Old Trafford.
However, Baleba’s time in Man Utd’s 3-2 victory over Roma was cut short after he suffered a hamstring problem while he tried to burst forward into the box.
Rio Ferdinand says Youri Tielemans is now crucial for Man Utd after Carlos Baleba was injured
Michael Carrick turned to his bench and brought on Youri Tielemans for Carlos Baleba in the 51st minute. Baleba had received treatment on the pitch for his hamstring injury, but the former Brighton star was unable to continue in Tuesday evening’s clash.
Youri Tielemans took his place in the heart of the Manchester United midfield alongside Kobbie Mainoo and produced a steady second-half cameo. According to Opta Analyst, Tielemans committed one foul and completed 25 of his 26 passes during his 39-minute appearance.
Speaking on his podcast, Rio Ferdinand admitted that it was a major positive to see Tielemans back in the midfield pivot of Michael Carrick’s tactics for United. The 47-year-old United legend insisted that it was now crucial for Tielemans to have a steady run of matches to ensure that he can maintain a consistent run of form.
“Also, great to see Tielemans back in,” Ferdinand said on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.
“Let’s hope he continues. I thought we’d done well when he came on. And I think you look at somebody like him, especially with Baleba being injured now, you want to make sure he goes on a little run and gets some form, gets some fitness, gets the level up and becomes a part of it.
“And that’s some influence. And I think a lot of the questions a lot of the fans had on the way out of the stadium [were] like, ‘Why can’t we do that every game for 90 minutes?’”
Tielemans arrived in the same summer transfer window as the injured Baleba after Man Utd triggered his £35m release clause at Aston Villa. The 29-year-old Belgium captain has made 13 appearances across all competitions and has picked up three assists for United in his debut season.
According to StatMuse, Baleba had one shot and 45 touches during his 50 minutes against Roma on Tuesday evening. Carrick has since spoken out on Baleba and confirmed the Cameroon international picked up a hamstring problem.