Carrick confirms Baleba closing in on Manchester United debut after ankle injury

Michael Carrick has confirmed that Carlos Baleba is edging closer to his Manchester United debut, with the £65m summer signing from Brighton returning to training ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Craven Cottage.

Baleba, 22, has not played a single minute for United since arriving from Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer, having suffered an ankle ligament injury during pre-season. Carrick told the club’s website the Cameroon international is now integrating with the group and could be available this weekend.

“He’s done a bit of training this week and, hopefully, we’ll get Luke [Shaw] back in and around it this week and look forward to a strong game on the weekend,” Carrick said. “Well, I say back in — actually introducing him into the group.”

Carrick was equally positive about Baleba’s attitude during his recovery. “He’s desperate to get started. He’s bouncing around the place. It’s not always easy when you come into a new club and you’re not fully in with the group, but he’s dealt with that ever so well. He’s got great personality and he’s full of enthusiasm — pushing to get back as quickly as possible.”

United moved for Baleba — initially a target last summer — after Brighton accepted what the club’s hierarchy regard as a knockdown price. The deal, worth £65m plus £5m in add-ons, was driven by an urgent need to rebuild the midfield following Casemiro’s departure at the end of his contract and Manuel Ugarte’s serious injury on international duty with Uruguay at the World Cup. Andrey Santos arrived from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa before Baleba completed the overhaul.

The timing of Baleba’s potential return could hardly be more pressing. United head to Fulham on the back of three difficult results: a stoppage-time equaliser conceded at Everton, a derby defeat to Manchester City — despite playing against 10 men for much of the match — and a 3-2 home loss to Brighton in the League Cup on Wednesday, their second consecutive first-round exit in the competition.

Fulham, meanwhile, are yet to win in the league under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa, the former Real Madrid player and coach, which offers United a chance to arrest their slide.