Baleba's Hamstring Injury Leaves Man Utd Short in Midfield Before Villa Clash

Carlos Baleba's promising start at Manchester United has been halted by a hamstring injury, leaving the club short in midfield ahead of a demanding run of fixtures. The 22-year-old pulled up holding his hamstring shortly after the start of the second half of United's 3-2 Champions League win over Roma, and head coach Michael Carrick could offer no timeline for his return after the game. The hamstring still has to be assessed, Carrick said, and the first signs were not good. Baleba had been winning his midfield battles before the injury, coming out on top in seven of his eight duels and completing both of his attempted dribbles before Youri Tielemans replaced him. The £70 million summer signing from Brighton has made only seven appearances for United this season, after an ankle injury picked up in pre-season delayed his debut. The timing is awkward for United, who sit just above the Premier League relegation zone. Aston Villa visit Old Trafford on Sunday, November 8, and after the international break United travel to Liverpool. Benjamin Sesko is already out until January, and while Patrick Dorgu is back in training after his own hamstring problem, Tielemans looks the likely replacement for Baleba in the middle of the pitch.