Baleba 'bouncing around the place' in wait of Man Utd debut

Michael Carrick revealed Carlos Baleba is "bouncing around the place" as he hopes to make his Manchester United debut before the international break.

Baleba joined United from Brighton this summer in a reported £65m move, but is yet to feature for the Red Devils after suffering an injury in pre-season.

No player won more tackles across all competitions for Brighton than Baleba's 100 since his debut for the Seagulls, while he ranked second behind Jan Paul van Hecke for duels won (469) and interceptions (117) in that time.

United face Fulham on Sunday in their final match before the extended international break begins, and Carrick revealed Baleba could make his Red Devils debut at Craven Cottage.

"We're looking good," Carrick said about his squad. "Everyone's up and running, you know?

"Over the last week or so, pretty much everyone has played and [been] fit, and we're trying to get Carlos back in.

"Well, I say back in, actually introducing him into the group. So he's done a bit of training this week and, hopefully, we'll get Luke [Shaw] back in and around it this week and look forward to a strong game on the weekend.

"He's [Baleba] desperate to get started. He's bouncing around the place! It's not always easy, I think, when you come into a new club, and you're not right fully in with the group, with the training.

"But he's dealt with that ever so well, I have to say. He's got great personality, and he's full of enthusiasm around [the place] and pushing to get back as quickly as possible. So it's great to have him back."

United have lost just one of their last 21 Premier League games against Fulham (W16 D4), going down 2-1 at Old Trafford in February 2024.

However, United's total of four points from their first four Premier League games (W1 D1 L2) this season is their joint fewest in the competition at this stage, along with 1992-93 and 2025-26; they did recover from those starts to finish first and third in those respective seasons, however.