Manchester United's thrilling Champions League comeback against Roma came at a cost on Tuesday night, as Carlos Baleba limped off with a hamstring injury that head coach Michael Carrick admitted "initially doesn't look great".
The 22-year-old Cameroon midfielder pulled up early in the second half at Old Trafford, just as United were chasing a game they would eventually win in dramatic fashion.
The Moment It Happened
With United trailing 2-0 early in the second half, Baleba made a surging run through midfield and into Roma's box. He pulled up while grabbing his right hamstring and went down to the turf in pain, as reported by USA TODAY.
Baleba was able to walk off under his own power, but he could not continue. Youri Tielemans replaced him in the 51st minute.
United then produced their remarkable comeback, with a Bruno Fernandes penalty and two late Matheus Cunha goals securing a 3-2 win — their first victory after nine matches without one.
What Carrick Said About the Injury
Speaking after the game, Carrick confirmed the problem but offered no timescale. "I haven't got any more news on Carlos at this stage but obviously it's his hamstring and we'll have to assess it more in the next few days," he said, in quotes reported by Sports Mole. "Initially it doesn't look great but I haven't got much more to give you than that in terms of a timeframe or anything."
That assessment matters because hamstring injuries vary enormously. A minor strain can settle in days, a partial tear can mean three to six weeks out, and a serious tear can take at least eight weeks. Until United scan the muscle in the coming days, nobody — Carrick included — can honestly place Baleba on any of those timelines.
What is already clear is the context. Baleba joined United from Brighton in the summer in a move worth up to £70 million. He missed a month at the start of the season with an ankle injury, and Tuesday was only his seventh appearance of the campaign. For a player United bought to be the engine of their midfield, this season has so far been stop-start in the worst possible way.
So What Does This Mean for United?
United face Aston Villa at home on Sunday in the Premier League, and on the early evidence Baleba should not be expected to start that game. That leaves Carrick — whose own position remains under intense scrutiny despite Tuesday's win — to rebuild his midfield again, with Tielemans the obvious beneficiary after replacing Baleba against Roma.
The league position allows no room for comfort. United have taken just seven points from nine Premier League games and sit only outside the relegation zone on goal difference. A famous European night changes the mood, but it does not change the table, and losing a £70 million midfielder for any length of time makes a difficult run harder still.
For Cameroon, too, this is a worry. Baleba is central to their plans, and a long lay-off would be a blow well beyond Old Trafford.
Beyond the Final Whistle: Tuesday should have been remembered purely as the night Old Trafford believed again — instead it may be remembered as the night United's most important midfield signing broke down again. Carrick is right not to guess at a timescale, but "doesn't look great" from a manager who usually plays injuries down tells its own story. United bought Baleba to carry them through exactly the kind of run they are now in; if the scan confirms the worst fears, that plan is in ruins for weeks to come.
How big a blow would a long Baleba absence be for United — and who should Carrick trust in midfield against Aston Villa on Sunday? Let us know what you think in the comment section.
