Carlos Baleba
MUN
CM
Ball-Winning Midfielder
Jan 3, 2004 (22)
Left
5'10"
161 lb
Man UtdOut several weeks with ankle injury
Baleba has a minor ankle issue that could keep him out for a couple to three weeks, according to manager Michael Carrick, per Tyrone Marshall of Manchester Evening News. "He's got a little ankle issue, so maybe a couple of weeks or so, three weeks. It's no major issue. It'll be great to have him back."
Analysis: Baleba made 31 Premier League appearances for Brighton last season without a goal or assist, and this ankle issue further delays his path into the mix after joining Manchester United's midfield this summer alongside Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos. Once fully fit, he figures to gradually work his way into the rotation alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount, likely sometime in September after the international break.
Expected out weeks after transfer
Baleba (ankle) could be sidelined until mid-September as he recovers from the injury he suffered during the offseason period with Brighton, Archie Griggs of The Express reports.
Analysis: Baleba just recently joined the Red Devils as another midfield addition along with Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos to contend with Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount (foot). However, it appears the Cameroonian will need a few weeks to be available for selection, especially considering that he hasn't seen competitive action since May. Once he's fully fit, he'll look to gradually enter the rotation and start accumulating passes and ball recovery stats at some point in September or October.
Completes move to United
Baleba has signed a five-year contract through the summer of 2031 with Manchester United from Brighton, the club announced.
Analysis: Baleba was one of the Premier League's most sought-after young midfielders after a breakout 2024-25 season, ranking among the league's top performers for tackles and interceptions and progressive ball carries, and he helped Brighton reach the Conference League last season while ranking in the top eight percent of players for combined tackles and interceptions and the top one percent for second balls won. He's currently working through an ankle injury from pre-season, meaning his Old Trafford debut will have to wait. He joins Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans as United's third midfield addition of the summer, part of a broader rebuild of that area following Casemiro's departure.
Ruled out for Villa clash
Baleba will miss Sunday's match against Aston Villa due to fitness, according to coach Fabian Hurzeler, per BBC Sport Sussex. "Baleba is a Brighton player. I'll never comment on rumours which are in the media and I can't control, a lot of things are written. I know about the situation but I have a very important game with my staff and team in two games. That's my only focus at the moment. He's not fit. That's why he won't be involved."
Analysis: Baleba has missed Brighton's last three matches with an ankle ligament injury suffered during preseason, and speculation over a potential move to Manchester United has continued to swirl around him throughout that absence, though coach Fabian Hurzeler declined to be drawn on whether anything beyond fitness is behind his continued unavailability. The 22-year-old made 31 Premier League appearances last season. Yasin Ayari is expected to continue pairing with Pascal Gross in midfield if Baleba remains unavailable for the opener.
Doubtful for start of season
Baleba suffered an ankle ligament injury during preseason and is a doubt for the start of the 2026-27 season, according to The Athletic.
Analysis: Baleba's injury forced him to miss Saturday's 4-3 win over Strasbourg. Brighton hope the issue won't require a long term absence, though his availability for the club's Conference League qualifier on Aug. 20 or the Premier League opener against Aston Villa three days later remains in question. The 22-year-old made 31 Premier League appearances last season, his third since joining from Lille in 2023, though his form dipped amid heavy transfer interest from Manchester United, who ultimately pursued Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans instead. Yasin Ayari is expected to pair with Pascal Gross in midfield if Baleba misses the start of the season.
Option to face Liverpool
Baleba (undisclosed) is an option for Saturday's clash against Liverpool after missing the last game due to a minor issue, according to BBC Sussex Sport.
Analysis: Baleba sat out the Sunderland clash with a minor issue but is back in the mix for Saturday's showdown against Liverpool, just as coach Fabian Hurzeler hinted last week. He's been managing a series of muscular problems this season, so the staff could bring him along carefully rather than throwing him straight into a full workload. That said, this likely opens the door for James Milner to keep a bigger role in midfield until Baleba is fully back up to speed.
Early hook in loss
Carlos Baleba recorded one interception in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 2nd minute.
Analysis: Carlos Baleba was deemed unplayable Wednesday. The midfielder completed just four passes and was brandished a yellow card before being removed in favor of James Milner after just 22 minutes on the pitch. Carlos Baleba has started in four successive league fixtures, but that streak is in doubt as Brighton prepare to take on Liverpool on Saturday at Anfield.
Pictured in training with club
Baleba (undisclosed) is fully fit and back in Brighton's training sessions after returning from international duty.
Analysis: Baleba should be an option in central midfield for the remainder of the season, but it's not yet clear when he'll bounce back into the starting lineup. He was quite active with Cameroon in the AFCON, making five appearances despite suffering some minor physical problems during the early stages of the tournament. His return to Brighton's midfield will threaten Yasin Ayari's and Pascal Gross' positions.
Fully fit, returns to Brighton
Baleba (undisclosed) is no longer injured since he played 77 minutes in Friday's 2-0 loss against Morocco and is now heading back to Brighton after being eliminated from the AFCON with Cameroon.
Analysis: Baleba fully cleared the injury that he suffered against Gabon since he played 77 minutes in Friday's loss against Morocco that saw Cameroon being eliminated of the AFCON. Baleba will now head back to Brighton and have a bit less than 10 days to be ready for the next Premier League clash against Bournemouth. Baleba has been an undisputed starter for the Seagulls and should claim back that role when back.
Forced off injured
Baleba (undisclosed) was forced off injured at halftime during Wednesday's 1-0 victory against Gabon at AFCON, according to The Argus.
Analysis: Baleba had a decent outing against Gabon on Wednesday, helping the Lions remain stable in midfield before suffering an apparent injury that required treatment and forced him off at the break. The midfielder will hope to recover quickly, as he is very important for Cameroon in the midfield. Baleba's extent of injury is still unknown, as there has been no report released regarding his condition yet.
Quiet in midfield
Carlos Baleba recorded one shot (zero on goal) in Saturday's 2-0 loss to Liverpool.
Analysis: Baleba took a single shot during Saturday's loss and was largely played around in the midfield. This was always going to be a tough match at Anfield, especially going forward, and Baleba couldn't really get involved. As a true holding midfielder, Baleba doesn't offer as much going forward, especially against top opponents. Baleba is now set to depart for AFCON, meaning he will be unavailable for the next three weeks at a minimum.
Midfield anchor
Baleba has started in six of his seven appearances this season for 355 minutes of play.
Analysis: Baleba is back to a mainstay role in the midfield for a second season in a row, only missing out on one start through seven matches this campaign. However, the midfielder serves in more of a defensive role, killing his production, with only three shots and two chances created in the attack to pair with his six clearances, seven tackles and eight interceptions in the defense. This is a role that should remain, unlikely to falter from his spot this season, but also unlikely to earn many goal contributions.
Could only play one half
Baleba was substituted at halftime of Saturday's 2-2 draw against Tottenham due to tiredness, coach Fabian Hurzeler said in a press conference. "He just felt tired. I think that everyone has to understand with Carlos that he's a very young player and he had unbelievable development in the last season and everyone expects him to keep pushing, keep going the same like it was last year, but he's a 20-year-old player. He needs time. His development is not linear and at the moment he seems to be in a small down, but I think it's very important to understand that he's not a machine. He's a very young, talented player. He needs help, he needs support from us. He needs the right environment. He tried everything today. He pushed but he only had 45 minutes in his body. And that's something we have to accept."
Analysis: Baleba is still a young player and needs to build on his fitness at the beginning of the season as he looks to confirm his breakout campaign from last year with the Seagulls. The midfielder is still not at full fitness and was substituted at halftime against Spurs on Saturday as he needs more time to reach full sharpness and complete a full Premier League match.
Working up fitness
Baleba continues to work up his fitness, according to manager Fabian Hurzeler. "It's very positive for Carlos. Of course, we needed to take care of him after he was out for almost three, four weeks. And we couldn't let him play for 90 minutes. But now it's about getting him back to his highest level regarding physicality, and then I'm sure he will be an option for us at the weekend."
Analysis: Baleba started in Brighton's season opener after he was dealt an injury heading into the season, with the midfielder limited to 69 minutes of play. However, the club is continuing to ramp up his fitness to ensure his health moving forward, with the midfielder set to play again Saturday. That said, they will hope he is good for 90 minutes, as he is set to be a regular in the middle of the pitch after starting 31 matches last season.
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