Man Utd vs Spurs: Carrick's Big Week, Baleba Debut and Team News

Michael Carrick faces defining week as Man Utd host winless Spurs with Baleba debut looming

Manchester United host a winless Tottenham side on Saturday in a match that could define Michael Carrick's tenure, with £65m summer signing Carlos Baleba in line for his debut and Amad Diallo back fit. United have taken just five points from five games.

Fixture: Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League
Date: Saturday (this weekend)
Venue: Old Trafford (home encounter)
Man Utd's form: Five points from five games
Spurs' form: Winless this season
Key debut: Carlos Baleba (£65m summer signing) fit and ready to feature
Return: Amad Diallo fit again

Injury and availability

Several United players are doubts for Saturday. Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu both left their international sides due to injury. Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo pulled out of England duty, while Benjamin Sesko withdrew from Slovenia's squad. All four are question marks.

However, Carrick will have players back. Amad Diallo is one, as mentioned. Matthijs de Ligt is getting closer to full fitness. Carlos Baleba, the £65m summer signing from Brighton, is now fit after suffering an ankle injury in pre-season and has had the international break to acclimatise to life at Carrington.

What was said

Michael Carrick has been reluctant to address his team's underperformance in his media duties. His pre-match news conference on Friday will be closely watched, not just for his thoughts on Manchester City's situation and how he has been impacted as a former player, but for the team news ahead of the Spurs match. Carrick does not tend to give too much away in his pre-match news conferences, but with the number of concerns and question marks over his squad, just how many options he will have at his disposal on Saturday remains unclear.

The numbers

5 – points Manchester United have taken from their opening five Premier League games
£65m – fee United paid for Carlos Baleba

Why Carrick must finally reshuffle his attack – and how Baleba changes the midfield

Carrick has been limited with his attacking options so far, partly because of Benjamin Sesko's lack of availability. But with Amad Diallo fit, the United head coach can finally reshuffle an attack that has failed to look threatening despite some impressive offensive statistics. Amad's return on the right means Bryan Mbeumo can move back through the middle, while Matheus Cunha could have a fascinating battle with Marcus Rashford, pending his fitness, for the role on the left.

Cunha has looked slightly off it this season, perhaps partly down to playing through the middle rather than in his preferred left-wing position. Not called up by Brazil, he has had time to reset after a disappointing start. That attacking reshuffle could be the difference between another frustrating afternoon and a season kick-start.

The bigger tactical shift, though, is Baleba. The £65m signing is now fit after an ankle injury suffered for Brighton in pre-season and has settled into the club well with staff and players. He completed his first broadcast commitments as a United player earlier this week alongside Amad, which would point to the midfielder being ready to feature as soon as Carrick believes he is.

Baleba will offer qualities still yet to be replaced following the summer departure of Casemiro. Defensively, he can better shield a defence that has leaked too many goals, particularly when United are caught in transition. Going forward, his range of passing and ability to drive with the ball through midfield are qualities United have largely been without for years – perhaps since Paul Pogba. It is too early to say Baleba can be transformative, but for what Carrick and his side need, especially with the games to come, he could prove to be United's most important signing of the summer.

The axis of Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo has shown us what Carrick thought in pre-season. It feels like the right combination in certain games and situations, particularly at home when United are more comfortable dominating the ball and dictating the tempo, but the consistency is not quite there yet. Baleba's introduction could alter that balance significantly, especially with the busy October schedule ahead.

Talking points

Should Carrick throw Baleba straight in against Spurs, or ease him in given his lack of match sharpness?
Is Cunha's poor start down to being played out of position, and does he deserve the left-wing role over Rashford?
United's midfield has lacked a Casemiro replacement all season – can Baleba fix the defensive issues alone?
With five points from five games, is a defeat to Spurs enough to put Carrick under serious pressure?

What happens next

Carrick's Friday news conference will provide the first indication of who is available for Saturday. After Spurs, United face a demanding run: away trips to Atletico Madrid, Leeds United and Como, before finishing October with Bournemouth and Chelsea. The next week, and indeed the whole of October, feels huge for United – one more disappointing result could bring a storm of questions over whether Carrick is the right coach to steer them through it.

Frequently asked questions

Is Carlos Baleba fit to make his Manchester United debut vs Tottenham?

Yes, Baleba is fit after an ankle injury suffered in pre-season and has had the international break to acclimatise. He is ready to feature as soon as Carrick believes he is.

Which Manchester United players are injured for the Spurs match?

Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu left their international sides due to injury. Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Benjamin Sesko are also doubts after withdrawing from national duty.