Carlos Baleba is in contention to make his first competitive start for Manchester United next Saturday.
The Red Devils welcome a winless Tottenham Hotspur side to Old Trafford in a 5.30pm kick-off on October 10.
Carlos Baleba awaiting maiden United outing
Now, Manchester Evening News has revealed that the Cameroonian, who ‘can do it all’, could well be granted his debut, having stepped up his training over the international break.
Carlos Baleba can do it all!@OfficialBHAFC pic.twitter.com/leXCGphLHE
— Premier League India (@PLforIndia) August 19, 2026
Baleba is one of only a few players who’ve continued actively working at Carrington while the rest of the squad has either been on international duty or at home/on holiday.
He featured in a United shirt for the first time when the Reds welcomed Lausanne-Sport to the training complex for a behind-closed-doors friendly on Friday, so he will now be chomping at the bit to finally get some Premier League minutes under his belt.
Carlos Baleba is RED 😍❤️ pic.twitter.com/N0DJXsKJfJ
— utdreport (@utdreport) October 2, 2026
Who makes way for Baleba?
Of course, the inclusion of Baleba in the XI means one midfielder will have to be sacrificed.
Given how Kobbie Mainoo has fared since the campaign began, his place is essentially cemented in the side as long as he’s fit, meaning Youri Tielemans would have to drop out.
Kobbie Mainoo amongst Premier League midfielders this season:
🔝 Most x possession won (40)
🔝 Most attempted take-ons (13)
🔝 Most successful take-ons (10)Man Utd’s Player of the Month. 👏 pic.twitter.com/ABb7zfDP8y
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) September 28, 2026
MEN journalist Tyrone Marshall previously said of the matter: “I would expect Baleba and Mainoo to be the partnership that starts the biggest games and to emerge as United’s No. 1 midfield duo.”
Tielemans has recorded a Fotmob average rating of 7.29 across the five league starts he’s made.
He even captained United in Bruno Fernandes’ absence for the Carabao Cup opener against Brighton and Hove Albion last month, showing just how highly Michael Carrick rates him.
After the Spurs encounter, United travel to the Metropolitano to face Atletico Madrid on October 13 for their second Champions League group-phase fixture, so it’ll be interesting to see which midfielders get the nod for such a high-stakes outing.
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