Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has confirmed that Carlos Baleba will miss their Carabao Cup game against his former club, Brighton & Hove Albion.

United are set to welcome Brighton to Old Trafford on Wednesday but the Cameroon international is yet to recover fully from an ankle injury.

Baleba moved to Manchester in a deal reportedly worth around £70 million this summer and he is yet to play a competitive game for the Red Devils.

He picked up the ankle injury during his pre-season training with Brighton, just before completing the transfer.

CARRICK DISCLOSES BALEBA'S RETURN PERIOD

Ahead of Wednesday's Carabao Cup tie, Carrick disclosed Baleba is expected to return to action for his Manchester United debut after the international break.

The 22-year-old resumed training this week and was pictured on the grass at Carrington during his individual training session.

When asked about Baleba's return on, Carrick said: "He'll be back in and around the group at some point over the next week or so, so that means after international (break) he should be in good shape.

“Carlos came being injured and then he’s desperate to get out there and be part of the group and training fully with the boys.

"He’s a quality player, that’s why we brought him, and he balances off the dynamics of the midfield particularly well.”

Before the three-week international break, Manchester United will face Brighton and then travel to Fulham for a Premier League fixture on Sunday.

WHAT ROLE WILL BALEBA PLAY AT MAN UTD

Baleba has been a target for Manchester United since 2025 and he was brought in to strengthen their midfield following the departure of Casemiro at the end of last season.

He joins Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos as the new pieces added to United's midfield this summer.

Baleba is a familiar face in the Premier League, and he is renowned as a box-to-box midfielder for his ball-carrying quality and athleticism in the middle of the park.

In Baleba's absence, Carrick has opted for a Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo midfield partnership, but it has not been effective enough in terms of results with United conceding in their opening four games.

The Red Devils have only won one game in the Premier League this season and they sit 13th on the log after matchday four.