​MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 30: Carlos Baleba of Manchester United poses with a shirt prior to the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Ipswich Town at Old Trafford on August 30, 2026 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images) We’ve been here before with Manchester United. Everytime the team starts a season shakily, a new signing who’s getting up to speed but unavailable due to an injury is seen as the solution. This isn’t to say a new signing won’t help; he was bought in to do that, but a single player is rarely the solution. This isn’t limited to new signings. Even existing players nursing an injury are seen as the answer despite their known limitations. The news suggests that both Carlos Baleba and Amad Diallo will be back after the international break. This is good news for United, but it’ll take a while for both to get up to speed. Every game is significant, but the one this weekend against Fulham is significant for a few reasons: United haven’t built any momentum, but win this, and the good feeling will last for two weeks; something that hasn’t been felt since this season took off. Of course, a win will also close the gap between them and other sides aiming for Champions League football. Most importantly, it’ll let players coming back from injury bide their time before they can give it their all. It’s common knowledge that United haven’t had much athleticism, physicality, and agility in their midfield for a few seasons, and the start of this one. Carlos Baleba will certainly add a lot to this side, but he’s come off a shaky campaign himself despite his undeniable talents, and the last thing you want is for him to enter an anxious camp. Michael Carrick will be well aware of this, which is why this weekend has a lot riding on it. Now, the great players don’t shirk from this kind of responsibility and thrive on it, but Baleba doesn’t need to be that to still be a very important player for United this season. Kill the noise, and Baleba will be allowed to thrive the minute he sets foot on the pitch; don’t do that, and the young midfielder will be burdened with saving the side. He might be up for that someday, but not for now.