Carlos Baleba will be unavailable for up to three more weeks, delaying his Manchester United debut, manager Michael Carrick has confirmed. The 22-year-old completed a £70million move from Brighton on Tuesday but is nursing an ankle injury sustained in pre-season, ruling him out of Sunday's Premier League clash with Ipswich at Old Trafford.
Carrick provides injury update on Baleba and Amad
"He's got a little ankle issue, so maybe a couple of weeks or so, maybe three weeks, but we'll see," Carrick explained. "But we knew that before, so it's no major issue. It will be great to have him back." Asked whether Baleba would be available before next month's international break, the United boss replied: "We'll wait and see, we're hopeful."
Carrick also confirmed that Amad will not feature, with the winger having missed the opening 2-0 defeat away to Hull through injury. "Amad won't be involved this week," he added. "He'll be out a little bit longer."
Mount returns as United prepare for Ipswich
There is some good news, though, with Mason Mount returning to training after picking up a knock in United's penultimate game of pre-season. "Mason's back round the group, he trained this week," Carrick said. "That's a real positive."
A week of training has given Carrick more match-ready options for Sunday's clash with Ipswich, who picked up three points on their return to the top flight last weekend. Benjamin Sesko has recovered from a shin problem while Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford are in contention to start after their long World Cup campaigns with England.
Carrick excited by Baleba's potential
Carrick could add to his squad before the game as the Red Devils scour the market for a left-back, although it's unlikely that a new signing would be registered in time. Baleba became United's fourth signing of the summer transfer window and Carrick is 'excited' to work with him.
"We're delighted to have Carlos," he went on to say. "I think huge potential, massive potential. I think this is a really exciting signing for us. The quality that he has, the attributes that he has, that offsets a little bit of the balance of the group that we've got. Different strengths, different combinations. So for us to have that, absolutely delighted to have him. There's so much more to come from him as well, which with the player that he already is, with that little bit more to come, is exciting for us."
