Carrick told there’s one Red who’s yet to play this season that ‘obviously has to start’ vs Tottenham
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Manchester United return to action after three lengthy weeks with a home clash against Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow evening.
Weighing in on Michael Carrick’s potential line-up ahead of the encounter, Samuel Luckhurst has claimed that Carlos Baleba ‘obviously has to start’.
Baleba obviously has to start tomorrow in what could hardly be a more high-pressure debut, given some of the players he could be up against #mufc https://t.co/InIDqJobNA
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) October 9, 2026
Carlos Baleba on verge of Red Devils debut
In doing so, it would mark the summer signing’s competitive debut for the club.
An ankle ligament injury that he sustained in pre-season with Brighton and Hove Albion has kept Baleba sidelined for the opening month of the campaign.
However, having progressed swiftly in his recovery, he is now in line to feature for the first time this weekend.
Carlos Baleba can do it all!@OfficialBHAFC pic.twitter.com/leXCGphLHE
— Premier League India (@PLforIndia) August 19, 2026
The Cameroonian did make the matchday squad for the clash with Fulham in gameweek five, but he was an unused substitute, with Carrick seemingly deciding the youngster would benefit from an extended rest over the break.
Baleba tipped to replace experienced Youri Tielemans
Of course, adding Baleba to the XI means one midfielder will have to make way, and with how Kobbie Mainoo has fared since 2026/2027 got underway, it’s highly unlikely that it’ll be him.
Kobbie Mainoo ranks first vs Premier League midfielders this season for:
Possession won (40 times) 💪
Pass accuracy (94%) 🎯
Dribbles complete (10) 🪄 pic.twitter.com/PU2Lb0FDOg
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 4, 2026
That means Youri Tielemans, who’s averaged a FotMob rating of 7.29 in the league and even captained the side in Bruno Fernandes’ absence, is poised to be sacrificed.
Manchester Evening News journalist Tyrone Marshall previously said of the matter: “I would expect Baleba and Mainoo to be the partnership that starts the biggest games and to emerge as United’s No. 1 midfield duo.”
After hosting the currently winless Spurs, United travel to the Metropolitano to take on Atletico Madrid in their second Champions League group-phase fixture.