Baleba’s Manchester United Debut Set to Wait Beyond Brighton Cup Tie
September 14, 2026
Carlos Baleba is unlikely to make his Manchester United debut when the club host Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday night. The 22-year-old midfielder joined United from Brighton last month in a deal worth up to £70 million, but he remains unavailable as he recovers from the ankle ligament injury sustained during Brighton’s pre-season programme.
The match will take place at Old Trafford on Wednesday, September 16, with an 8 p.m. BST kick-off. Although the fixture would have offered Baleba an immediate meeting with his former club, United’s latest injury information lists him as out, and reports indicate that the game has arrived too early in his recovery.
Baleba suffered the injury during Brighton’s pre-season friendly against Strasbourg in early August, before completing his move to Manchester United. United were aware of the problem before finalising the transfer, which consisted of an initial £65 million payment and up to £5 million in add-ons, with Brighton also securing a sell-on clause.
Michael Carrick initially suggested that Baleba could return after “a couple of weeks or so, maybe three weeks,” while stressing that the issue was not expected to become a long-term concern. The club has since taken a more cautious approach, with a return after the upcoming international break now appearing more realistic.
The most plausible target is United’s home Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur on October 10, although the October 18 trip to Leeds United would offer additional recovery and training time if the club chooses not to rush him back. Any specific return date remains provisional until Baleba completes full training and is cleared by United’s medical staff.
Baleba was signed as part of a broader midfield rebuild following Casemiro’s departure at the end of his contract. United also added Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans during the summer, but Baleba was viewed as a major investment in the club’s long-term midfield, bringing energy, ball-carrying ability and Premier League experience from his time at Brighton.
Brighton, meanwhile, have adjusted well without their former midfielder. The Seagulls entered the cup tie after a 5–0 league win over Coventry City, a result that put them fourth in the Premier League after four matches. Both clubs are expected to rotate for the Carabao Cup, but Baleba’s first appearance in a Manchester United shirt will almost certainly have to wait.
