United’s Baleba Set for Fulham Clash Amid Shaw Fitness Update

Carlos Baleba is in contention for Manchester United’s upcoming Premier League fixture against Fulham, manager Michael Carrick confirmed. The 22-year-old midfielder, signed from Brighton for £70 million this summer, has yet to make his debut due to an ankle injury sustained in pre-season.

Baleba’s path to first-team involvement

Earlier this week, Carrick indicated Baleba was approaching full training participation, with minutes following the international break considered the initial realistic target. That timeline has now accelerated: the player is officially available for selection this weekend.

Baleba was brought in to supply energy, power and control to a midfield unit that has repeatedly lacked those attributes during critical stretches of matches. His potential inclusion shifts tactical options for United at a time when the team has registered just four points from its first four league outings.

Shaw edges closer to return

Left-back Luke Shaw has missed United’s last three matches after appearing in the 2-2 draw at Everton. Carrick described Shaw’s situation as “really short term” and said the player is “working towards the game.” The phrasing stops short of confirming selection but signals active progression toward availability.

United’s need for both depth and quality remains acute. A home loss to Brighton in the Carabao Cup has intensified scrutiny on Carrick’s position — a dynamic inherent to clubs of United’s stature, where results directly shape managerial perception.

Carrick’s assessment of the team’s start

Carrick acknowledged the pressure but framed the early setbacks with measured perspective. “We’ve got to put things in perspective: it’s not a catastrophe or a disaster, it’s not the end of the world, we’ve lost a couple of games recently,” he said.

He added: “We feel we’ve started and been in all the games we’ve played, if not being the better team at the start of games. We’re not having a real struggle all the time.”

“We’ve done a lot of good things, the belief comes from that. The good things we’ve done get lost in the surrounding feeling but they don’t get lost by us.”

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