Michael Carrick’s sentiments around Carlos Baleba were encapsulated in his post-Manchester United match reflections around Kobbie Mainoo’s performance. Carlos Baleba was introduced to the Manchester ...
Michael Carrick’s sentiments around Carlos Baleba were encapsulated in his post-Manchester United match reflections around Kobbie Mainoo’s performance.
Carlos Baleba was introduced to the Manchester United fans at Old Trafford on Sunday ahead of the first Premier League home match of the 2026-27 campaign.
The 22-year-old Cameroonian midfield talent is currently sidelined due to a foot injury that he picked up in pre-season ahead of United signing him from Brighton.
Baleba, who was landed in a deal worth £70m this month, is expected to make his return for the Red Devils in September and is a key part of Michael Carrick’s plans.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Outside of the unveiling of Carlos Baleba on late Sunday afternoon, Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo stole the show for all the right reasons for the Red Devils.
Bruno Fernandes netted a stunning hat-trick in Manchester United’s 5-2 win over Ipswich Town, while Kobbie Mainoo produced a commanding midfield display.
Mainoo made his first midfield start of the 2026-27 Premier League season and the 21-year-old produced a strong showing alongside summer signing Youri Tielemans.
“I thought he was fantastic today, Kobbie,” Michael Carrick said post-match, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“It was nice for him to be home again and playing here with that confidence. It was his first start.
“Some of the boys have been away and had different levels of football at the World Cup; they’ve played different minutes, so we’ve had to manage that over the last couple of weeks. To put in that performance today shows what Kobbie can do.”
Following United’s performance against Ipswich Town, Carrick showed the value that the injured Baleba will offer the Red Devils when he does return from the sidelines.
The 45-year-old United manager spotlighted the new-look midfield that the Red Devils have for the 2026-27 campaign by equally valuing them as a collective “unit.”
“We’re fortunate enough to have a really good midfield unit, and we can call upon different players at different times,” Carrick added.
“I was really happy with the way he played today.”
United fans have already been debating what the two-man pivot will look like under Carrick when all four of the midfield picks are available in the first-team squad.
Will it be Baleba and Mainoo who are the first-choice picks? Or is it Youri Tielemans and Kobbie? Is Andrey Santos competing with Carlos or Youri for a position?
With so many different scenarios available, Carrick has shown the value of the midfield unit that United have in place for their fixture-heavy campaign.
It remains clear that United legend Carrick plans to use all his options available and not alienate one standout midfielder from the other for long periods of time.
Carrick’s message is a welcome sign that Baleba’s value is the same as other midfielders and his rotation offers a range of variations that United can tap into now.
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