Manchester United's head coach, Michael Carrick, has urged supporters to remain patient as summer recruit Carlos Baleba nears his long-awaited official debut with the club. The Cameroonian international is working on regaining his fitness after suffering a setback during his final days at Brighton.

Fans of Manchester United are eager to see their new midfield powerhouse in action, but Carrick is determined to ensure that Baleba is fully prepared before he steps into the spotlight of the Premier League. The former Brighton player remained on the bench without entering the game during the recent trip to Fulham and has since accelerated his recovery by participating in a closed-door friendly against Lausanne-Sport at Carrington.

As United prepares to host Tottenham Hotspur this weekend, the question of Baleba's involvement remains a major topic of discussion among Old Trafford faithful. The coaching staff is aware of the physical demands required, especially considering Baleba's absence from a full summer training program. "He is clearly getting closer, Carlos. It’s great to have him back on the pitch and to see him up close. He played a little during a training match we had last week, so it was good for him to get some minutes. I think there’s also another aspect: he has missed a lot, and he missed a crucial moment in terms of the end of pre-season," Carrick revealed.

Baleba arrived at Manchester with the remnants of an injury sustained during his time on the south coast. This lack of match rhythm is the primary reason for his delayed integration into the first team. Carrick understands that the jump to a club of United's stature is significant for any young player, especially for someone currently trying to catch up to the fitness level of his teammates. The focus now is to ensure that the 20-year-old does not suffer any relapses that could jeopardize his first season.

"We need to show a bit of patience with him to get back into rhythm, and it’s up to us to choose the right moment for him as well, but he brings a lot to us," Carrick added. "I’ve said it before, we are really pleased with the midfield we have, the choices and options available to us, and he clearly adds something extra to that. It’s great to have Carlos on the pitch, you know? Unfortunately, he got injured during pre-season, so he missed a lot. It’s an important time of the year, so we will work to bring him back, but it will take a bit of patience because it’s important."

Carrick is keen to temper expectations, acknowledging that the Cameroonian international is still adapting to a new environment and a different tactical system. Despite the excitement surrounding his arrival, the message from the bench is clear: Baleba is part of a long-term project for Manchester United. The club believes he has the qualities to become a key figure in their midfield for years to come, provided his development is well managed during these early months of the season.

"We’re not expecting too much too soon from him; he’s still a young player and has taken a big step coming here. We want to help him progress and get up to speed, but he clearly adds something more to our already strong midfield, and I look forward to having him back as an option. He was obviously involved [without playing] in the last match, but with a bit more training, he will continue to improve over time, over the weeks, months, and hopefully, years," Carrick explained.

Baleba joins a midfield that Carrick describes as already possessing great quality and depth. His integration brings a different profile to the squad, with athletic impact and recovery qualities that will be essential as the schedule becomes busier with European fixtures and domestic cups. The staff believes that a fully fit Baleba will allow for more effective rotation during the winter period, which is why they are refusing to rush his return to the squad at this time. With Tottenham visiting Manchester this Saturday, Baleba is expected to be part of the squad again for the match, although a starting position remains unlikely.