For Manchester United, the win over Roma was supposed to be the point where a miserable run finally gave way to something more useful: momentum. Instead, the most immediate question from a 3-2 victory at Old Trafford was not about the comeback itself, but about Carlos Baleba’s injury and what it might mean for the midfield in the days ahead.
Baleba hobbled off inside the first minute of the second half on Tuesday, cutting short what had already been an uneasy night for a team that had been trying to stop the slide. United had gone into the match on a nine-match winless run, and this result at least interrupted that sequence after heavy defeats by Como and Bournemouth a fortnight ago and a 2-0 loss at Chelsea last weekend.
That is why the Baleba injury matters beyond the scoreboard. A 3-2 win over Roma does not erase the broader questions around United, but it does at least offer a platform. Losing a midfielder so early in the second half risks turning a much-needed result into a more complicated selection issue as well.
What Michael Carrick said
After the match, Michael Carrick said the issue appeared to be Baleba’s hamstring and that it initially did not look great. He added that there was no further update at that stage, saying the staff would need to assess what it looks like and that he did not have much more to give on timelines.
That is not exactly reassuring, especially when the only confirmed detail so far is that the injury appeared serious enough to force Baleba off quickly. When a player cannot continue and the first assessment is already cautious, the club will naturally be hoping the setback is not as severe as it first appeared.
The timing makes the concern sharper. United had just taken a result that could have helped reset the mood after a difficult spell, but Baleba’s injury means the conversation immediately shifts back to availability and balance rather than just the scoreline. A win can stop the bleeding; it cannot stop the calendar.
For now, the important part is simple: Manchester United got the 3-2 result they needed against Roma, but Baleba’s injury ensured the night ended with an asterisk. The performance may help the table, yet the fitness situation could prove just as influential in the next phase.
