Carlos Baleba is in line to make his official Manchester United debut against Tottenham Hotspur on October 10. The 22-year-old Cameroonian midfielder has recovered from an ankle injury that delayed his start at Old Trafford.

Baleba, who joined from Brighton and Hove Albion for a fee that could reach £70 million on a five-year contract, has been working through a specific training programme. He made his first unofficial appearance for the club in a closed-door friendly against Swiss side Lausanne-Sport at Carrington on October 2, a match United won 2-1. He was an unused substitute in the 1-1 Premier League draw with Fulham on September 20.

Head coach Michael Carrick confirmed the player's progress. "Baleba is pushing to get back as quickly as possible from his injury," Carrick said. The injury was sustained during Brighton's pre-season training camp in Austria, keeping him out of first-team contention for over a month.

Midfield context and upcoming fixture

Baleba's potential return comes as United prepare for a key home match. The visit of Tottenham offers a chance to climb the standings. Baleba could become the fifth player to make his competitive debut under Carrick this season, joining a midfield overhaul that has seen Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos arrive. The club's sporting director highlighted the long-term plan for Baleba, stating the club views him as a key figure in rebuilding the team's core for the next decade.

United's last outing was that 1-1 draw at Fulham, where Matheus Cunha's late equaliser salvaged a point. The team's form has been mixed from their opening five league fixtures. Analysis of the Fulham game pointed to a lack of dynamism in central areas, a gap Baleba's physical profile is specifically intended to fill.

Baleba's availability is timely, with Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Benjamin Sesko all considered injury doubts for the Tottenham game. The last meeting between the sides at Old Trafford ended in a 2-0 victory for United back in February. Tottenham's own injury crisis, with several key defenders ruled out, could influence Carrick's decision to introduce an attacking midfielder like Baleba to exploit potential spaces.

The club's next match is against Tottenham at Old Trafford on Saturday, October 10, where Carlos Baleba could finally pull on the red shirt in a competitive fixture.

The report in full is at Khel Now