Carlos Baleba has continued his recovery during the international break, despite players being handed time off at Manchester United.
Should Carlos Baleba start for Manchester United against Tottenham Hotspur?
Carlos Baleba is yet to make his Manchester United debut after joining from Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer.
The Cameroon international picked up an ankle ligament injury during pre-season for his former side, which has prevented him from making his debut under Michael Carrick.
Baleba was named on the bench for the final game before the international break (against Fulham), but did not get on, despite United's poor performance.
With Kobbie Mainoo pulling out of the England squad due to injury, Carrick will be hoping Baleba is raring to go after three weeks without Premier League football.
Baleba continues hard work at Carrington
While Manchester United's first team were handed a week off during the international period, Carlos Baleba has continued to work at the Carrington Training Complex as he prepares for his debut.
The Athletic have reported that Baleba has been following an individual training programme at Carrington, with some other first-team players also continuing to work.
Baleba's work ethic is said to have impressed staff at the training ground, with the expectation that he could be pushing for a starting spot in United's next game.
Michael Carrick's side return to action against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, before a tough run of fixtures against Atletico Madrid, Leeds United, Como, AFC Bournemouth, and Chelsea before the end of October.
Should Baleba start vs Tottenham Hotspur?
Manchester United have looked a shadow of the side that impressed so much under Michael Carrick last season, despite adding quality to the squad.
But Carlos Baleba could turn that around, as the biggest change in last term's starting line-up is the lack of an out-and-out defensive midfielder.
Youri Tielemans has impressed alongside Kobbie Mainoo, but United's pressing shape has left gaps behind the pair and in front of the central defence.
While Baleba would not solve any structural problems, he could help cover the space between the backline and midfield, with his running being a key element of his game.
Despite Mainoo's injury, Tielemans feels more likely to drop out of the side than the Englishman, although Andrey Santos will also be hoping for a first Premier League start since the opening day defeat to Hull City.
With so many games before the end of next month, Michael Carrick will have to rotate, so even if Baleba is benched against Tottenham, he will be involved sooner rather than later.
