Carrick confirms Carlos Baleba will miss several weeks with hamstring injury

Manchester United have been dealt an injury setback after Michael Carrick confirmed that Carlos Baleba will be unavailable for several weeks with a hamstring problem.

The midfielder picked up the injury during United's 3-2 Champions League comeback victory over Roma on Tuesday. Baleba pulled up shortly after the restart and was forced off, with his condition initially leaving the club uncertain about the length of his absence.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's Premier League meeting with Aston Villa, Carrick admitted that the Cameroon international faces a significant spell on the sidelines.

“We don't know exactly, but it'll be a number of weeks. It's definitely not this week, and it won't be anytime over the international break. It'll be a little bit longer than that,” the United manager explained.

Baleba is therefore set to miss the Villa fixture and is also expected to be unavailable for the trip to Liverpool on November 22. His return date remains unclear.

There was more encouraging news regarding Patrick Dorgu, who has resumed light training following his own hamstring problems. Carrick will assess the defender before deciding whether he can feature against Villa.

United will now have to find another midfield solution as they look to build on their dramatic European win and improve their Premier League form.