Carlos Baleba's hamstring injury suffered in Manchester United's win against Roma has cut short the midfield partnership with Kobbie Mainoo that manager Michael Carrick had finally been able to field. The £70million summer signing lasted just one half before being forced off, with fears the injury could be serious.
Baleba's injury woes continue
Baleba, 22, did not make his United debut until October 10 because of an ankle injury picked up in pre-season. He and Mainoo had spent 31 minutes together on the pitch against Tottenham before the academy graduate missed four matches with a minor injury of his own.
Against Roma, the pair started together for the first time, but the second half was not even a minute old when Baleba powered through the Roma defence only for his hamstring to go at a crucial moment. It means a return to the treatment table for the midfielder, who arrived in a summer overhaul that cost £155million, alongside Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.
Tielemans steps in
On Tuesday, Youri Tielemans came on for the stricken midfielder and impressed, helping United sustain attacks with a solid performance in midfield. The Belgian, a £35million signing from Aston Villa, had started six of the first eight games alongside Mainoo before the latter's injury and Carrick's tactical tinkering changed his role.
"I thought the way Youri stepped into the game showed everything he's about, and he's not had the ideal start here in terms of the team and the run that we've been on," said Carrick. "But his personality, his character, and stepping into the team like he did just showed everything what he's about. He's a top, top human being, and I love having him around for all that, everything that he brings. Massively impressed with Youri and the way he came into the game."
Partnership questions
Mainoo and Tielemans combined well to control much of the game at Everton earlier this season and dovetailed nicely against Ipswich, but by October the partnership had more questions than answers. Andrey Santos, a £50million move from Chelsea, has since had his own run in the team without convincing that he is the long-term answer either.
Baleba had his moments against Roma, striding through the midfield on a couple of occasions and looking more assured at times, but there remain moments of scrappiness in his game, and he was rebuked by Bruno Fernandes for one on the stroke of half-time. The positives outweigh the negatives, but the chance to establish himself alongside Mainoo now looks to be on ice. United will miss his physicality and energy.
With Baleba out again, a return to a partnership of Mainoo and Tielemans looks to be on the cards for the visit of Tielemans' former club this weekend.
