Carlos Baleba Tipped to Fix Manchester United’s Defensive Balance
Manchester United face a pivotal trip to Fulham on Sunday before the first international break of the 2026-27 campaign, with Michael Carrick needing a response after consecutive defeats and renewed concern over his side’s defensive balance.
Fulham fixture arrives after difficult week
United have only one match remaining before domestic football pauses for three weeks, and the visit to Craven Cottage comes at an awkward time for a squad whose confidence has been hit.
A controversial derby defeat to Manchester City was followed by a Carabao Cup third-round exit at Old Trafford against Brighton. United had established a 2-0 lead inside the opening 10 minutes of that cup tie, but a heavily altered defence unravelled after the interval as Brighton mounted a comeback.
The problems have not been confined to the rotated side used in the cup. Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw have all featured in a defence that has conceded seven goals across four Premier League fixtures. United’s lone clean sheet this term came in their Champions League victory over Sabah.
Baleba seen as possible midfield answer
Baleba’s first appearance may have to wait until after the international break as he continues his recovery from an ankle-ligament problem. The 22-year-old’s energy, tackling and capacity to operate at the base of midfield are viewed as qualities that could give United’s defenders greater cover.
Former United full-back Danny Simpson believes the side need that more physical presence without the ball, even though he rates the technical ability available to Carrick in midfield.
Simpson said United could field an exceptional possession-based trio featuring Baleba, Youri Tielemans, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes among their midfield options, but argued the issue lies in the protection offered ahead of the back four.
- United have conceded seven times in four Premier League matches.
- Their only clean sheet was recorded against Sabah in the Champions League.
- Baleba is currently managing an ankle-ligament injury.
- Sunday’s Fulham match is United’s last game before a three-week domestic break.
Back-four transition raises selection questions
United did not add to their defensive department during the summer window, either through a decision not to recruit or an inability to secure suitable targets at acceptable fees. Carrick has since moved to a conventional four-man defence after Ruben Amorim’s preference for three central defenders and wing-backs.
That change has brought scrutiny of whether several existing players are naturally suited to the new requirements. Simpson pointed to Diogo Dalot, Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui as players previously deployed in wing-back roles.
He suggested Dorgu remains too inexperienced to provide the consistently reliable up-and-down work required from a wing-back, despite his threat in advanced areas. Simpson also described Dalot as an energetic attacking full-back but questioned his final-ball quality, while viewing Mazraoui primarily as a defensive full-back. Shaw, he added, is no longer able to contribute as much physically.
January may offer United another route to strengthen
United cannot turn to the transfer market again until January, leaving Carrick to manage the autumn and early-winter schedule with his present resources. Baleba’s return could provide an immediate improvement in midfield protection once he is fully fit.
However, the broader view around the club is that further recruitment will be necessary if United are to return to challenging seriously for football’s major honours. Before then, Carrick’s immediate task is to steady the team at Fulham and use the international break to address the defensive frailties exposed in recent matches.
