Carlos Baleba is nearing a Manchester United debut after stepping his recovery from injury, before the Carabao Cup clash against Brighton.
Baleba has yet to feature for United since joining from Brighton for £70million in the summer transfer window, having arrived carrying an ankle ligament injury that he suffered during the Seagulls’ pre-season friendly against Strasbourg at the start of August.
The Cameroon midfielder was always expected to miss the first few weeks of the campaign, with Michael Carrick previously stating that he hoped he would be in a position to make his debut before the international break.
"He’s got a little ankle issue," Carrick said last month. "But we knew that before, so it's no major issue. It will be great to have him back.
"We’ll wait and see. We’re hopeful but I don’t want to put any deadlines on it just yet."
Man United are next in action on Wednesday night, hosting Baleba’s former club at Old Trafford in the third round of the Carabao Cup as they bid to bounce back from defeat in the Manchester derby.
While Baleba has been pictured in the gym and on the grass at United’s training base at Carrington ahead of the game, an update suggests the midfielder will not be involved.
“Baleba is working as hard as he can to get back into contention,” a club statement read.
Carrick is likely to provide an update on Baleba as well as the likes of Luke Shaw, Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt when he previews the cup tie on Tuesday.
