Carlos Baleba set for Man Utd debut vs Tottenham after €70m move

Carlos Baleba, the Manchester United midfielder, is expected to make his debut this weekend against Tottenham at Old Trafford after joining for £70m. The 22-year-old signed a five-year deal, but United were aware of an ankle problem when they bought him on 25 August.

Pressure is already building at Old Trafford. United are 12th in the Premier League after one win and five points from their opening five games, and they were knocked out of the EFL Cup despite leading 2-0 at home against Brighton. Baleba still hasn’t played for his new club, naming only on the bench for the 1-1 draw at Fulham on 20 September.

His task is especially significant because the holding midfield role has been difficult to fill since Casemiro left in May. Carrick’s side are also among the teams struggling defensively, with only four in the top flight yet to keep a clean sheet.

One United insider’s take on Baleba’s start in training was blunt: “Very quick”, adding that he “covers the ground really well”. Whether his ankle allows him straight away is the key question, with the possibility that United wait until after the international break.