Michael Carrick is relishing the opportunity to get Carlos Baleba fit and firing for Manchester United.
The Red Devils signed Baleba from Brighton earlier this week, spending a reported £65m plus £5m in add-ons to bring in the midfielder.
No player won more tackles across all competitions for Brighton than Baleba's 100 since his debut for the Seagulls, while he ranked second behind Jan Paul van Hecke for duels won (469) and interceptions (117) in that time.
United will not be able to hand Baleba a debut for several weeks, with the 22-year-old recovering from a minor injury.
But Carrick cannot wait to see Baleba make an impact.
"He's got a little ankle issue so maybe a couple of weeks or so, maybe three weeks," said Carrick ahead of United, who lost to Hull City last week, facing Ipswich Town.
"But we knew that before so it's no major issue. It'll be great to have him when we can.
"Huge potential. Massive potential. A really exciting signing for us.
"The quality he has, the attributes he has, which offsets the balance of the group we've got and [adds] different combinations.
"Absolutely delighted to have him. There's so much more to come from him. It's exciting for us."
United's defeat at Hull was one of the shock results of the Premier League's opening weekend.
The Red Devils are out to avoid becoming just the fourth top-flight team ever to lose their first two games of a season against newly promoted clubs – the others are Everton in 1902-03, Sheffield United in 1929-30, and Bristol City in 1977-78.
Carrick remains winless in all three of his Premier League meetings with promoted clubs (D1 L2). As United boss, he has a 0.33 points per game record against promoted teams, compared to 2.47 points per game (P17 W13 D3 L1) against non-promoted teams.
"First home game of the season is one we look forward to. Massively looking forward to the game," Carrick said.
"We had a setback last week and we want to get back to playing well and winning football matches.
"We've got a good squad. We could pick a variety of combinations. Certainly [all] the boys are massively in contention."
United are unbeaten in their last eight home league games against Ipswich (W6 D2), winning the last four by an aggregate score of 18-2.
Maubcptuyz
0
Signing a player who's gonna sit for more than two weeks even if he's good is also another mess
A very big mess
Maubcptuyz
0
Lose to Ipswich we start talking about sacking you coach
yuocdnptyz
1
Past results don't matter. Facing Ipswich Town this season is what matters a lot. Lose again sparks anger on the fans. Forget the Hill game focus on tomorrow game, amend the mistakes made. Remember Ipswich Town are unbeaten last 4 games.
MukisaGerald
0
Signing a player who's gonna sit for more than two weeks even if he's good is also another mess
hikbdeilny
0
We need Victor osimen or Ivan Toney or Mateta form crystal palace
hikbdeilny
0
Left back really needed
Ziq6
0
play mainoo instead santos we need maino to play bench santos...
Ziq6
0
Coach,please Mainoo,Tiliemans and Bruno instead of Santos
yup maino is better then santos
Ziq6
0
casemiro replacement needed...
Fiobcdiopy
1
use last season winners instead of trying new recruits.
zodadelsyz
5
United needs a striker ASAP
Wuoilrstyz
3
With him on our side our defenders will be protected and I'm sure it will be more than very difficult for opponents to score us from open play and the only flaws I see in this current team is their inability to defend set~pieces One other impressive part of his play is his ball carrying techniques and physique beating at least 2 to 3 players trying to press him from defense and that indeed will create more than enough space for both our CMs and CAMs to distribute good balls to our running strikers with ease. I'm glad we weren't pressured with their asking price last season transfer window, Ineos knows how to get manage a club.
Taheklntz
3
united defence still weak .. need signing on defender
Pass2Pogba
0
Carrick wil’ jump into Baleba than playing his winning squad first
eho are the "winning" 11
Jtikol
1
Carrick wil’ jump into Baleba than playing his winning squad first
recbdnuy
3
United will still lose to Brighton in elf cup. Get ready.
Neyklnpruz
0
Pls, buy Sorloth as striker. He is good, quick to react. Pleaseeeee
hosmnptz
2
Ankle injuries hv possibility of reoccurring at least every season.
Nezbdisyz
3
MC make sure you use Mannio as a first choice to avoid errors.
riwcloptuy
1
hikbdeilny
0
Quality creative mid field needed
hikbdeilny
1
No 9 position needed
hikbdeilny
1
left back really needed
Vicsammy
0
you should learn how to keep quiet on something that you don't anything about, ewu
Is that why you stay quiet cuz you’re dumb
Echee27
0
Why are you now angry cuz of my opinion, take a chill water so you don’t burn.
you should learn how to keep quiet on something that you don't anything about, ewu
hiebmnrsy
0
You will have to bench Tielemans cuz you can’t play Tielemans and Mainoo at the same time, both like to attack, if Mainoo is to start the match Santos will partner him and Tielemans will come from bench.
I think Tielaman is good for him to come from bench given his injury history.
zozaceipru
5
Baleba is welcom to theare of dreams (Manutd) wish him best of luck.
vomabklnou
1
Excited about an injured player who hasn’t even trained with you, I can see desperation here
Vicsammy
1
He's praising you
Well I don’t know but if so I’m sorry for my response
Hehaelmop
2
Why are you now angry cuz of my opinion, take a chill water so you don’t burn.
He's praising you
hambcrtyz
3
Coach,please Mainoo,Tiliemans and Bruno instead of Santos
Vicsammy
1
Manchester United should have appointed you as the head coach because you understood the formation more than Carrick
Why are you now angry cuz of my opinion, take a chill water so you don’t burn.
mekemoprt
0
Hmmmm
[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh] as in ehh, so na Baleba Carrick trust now
Lekalnopru
3
Man Utd need left back & striker back up
AFerkvKS1386
3
Hmmmm
Echee27
1
You will have to bench Tielemans cuz you can’t play Tielemans and Mainoo at the same time, both like to attack, if Mainoo is to start the match Santos will partner him and Tielemans will come from bench.
Manchester United should have appointed you as the head coach because you understood the formation more than Carrick
Vicsammy
5
You will have to bench Tielemans cuz you can’t play Tielemans and Mainoo at the same time, both like to attack, if Mainoo is to start the match Santos will partner him and Tielemans will come from bench.