Forget the whispers about post-international break returns, because the latest out of Old Trafford is wild: Carlos Baleba, the 22-year-old midfielder United snagged from Brighton for a staggering £70 million, is suddenly in contention to play this weekend against Fulham. That’s a rapid shift, and it’s sending a jolt through a team that desperately needs one right now. When you drop that kind of cash, you expect an immediate impact, and so far, injuries have completely torpedoed that plan. But Carrick just confirmed Baleba might be back on the pitch, and that completely changes the conversation.
The £70 Million Man Finally Steps Up?
This isn’t just about getting another body back; it’s about getting the *right* body back. Baleba arrived this summer with a clear mission: inject energy, power, and control into a midfield that has been missing all three at crucial moments. An ankle problem picked up way back in pre-season put the brakes on everything, delaying his debut and leaving fans wondering when that hefty price tag would start paying dividends. Carrick initially hinted at a post-international break target for a full return, but now? He’s in contention for the Fulham game. That’s big. United’s start to the season has been rough, and Baleba offers a totally different profile in midfield: athletic, aggressive, and someone who can actually drive the game forward. If the side has looked short of rhythm, a guy like Baleba could be exactly what the doctor ordered.
Carrick’s Hot Seat Is Getting Hotter
It’s not just Baleba getting attention. There’s also some cautious optimism around Luke Shaw. The left-back has missed the last three matches, last seen in the 2-2 draw at Everton. Carrick called his situation “really short term,” focusing on “working towards the game.” It’s not a definitive green light, but it sure sounds like Shaw is close. United needs quality bodies back, especially with how things have been going. We’re talking four points from four Premier League matches, plus a brutal home defeat to Brighton in the Carabao Cup. That’s not where anyone expected this team to be, and the noise around Carrick’s position is growing louder by the minute. He says it’s “not a catastrophe or a disaster,” that they’ve “done a lot of good things.” But let’s be real: sentiment doesn’t buy time in this league. Only results do.
The Fulham game this weekend is huge. If Carlos Baleba is truly fit enough to make a real contribution, United needs him to step up, and Carrick needs him to deliver. The £70 million question is finally getting an answer, and the pressure is absolutely immense.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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