Struck down by a hamstring problem with Manchester United against Roma, Carlos Baleba is a doubt for Cameroon, who face Namibia on 12 and 16 November in the CAN 2027 qualifiers.
On Tuesday 3 November 2026, Carlos Baleba left the pitch at the start of the second half, suffering from a sharp pain at the back of his thigh, during Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Roma in the Champions League, reports Allez Les Lions.
Head coach Michael Carrick confirmed a hamstring injury and was hardly reassuring about the medical staff’s first impression. Further tests must now determine the exact severity of the damage, while the Cameroon international midfielder had been called up by head coach David Pagou for the double-header against Namibia.
A first start cut short
The Cameroonian had been handed his first start alongside Kobbie Mainoo, according to Allez Les Lions. A new-look pairing in Manchester United’s midfield, cut short: Baleba did not reappear after the break, the pain at the back of his thigh forcing him off the pitch.
His exit therefore takes the shine off the Red Devils’ Champions League win over Roma. It comes as Carrick, too, had to discuss an injury whose severity is still to be established.
Tests to gauge the severity
In Manchester as with the national team, the question is the same: how bad is the damage? Further tests should provide the answer. Until the results come back, any projection is pure speculation.
As a general medical benchmark, a mild hamstring injury usually requires one to three weeks of recovery. A more significant tear requires four to eight weeks, or even longer. Timelines which, if they were to apply, would put the player’s upcoming schedule under strain.
Cameroon up against the calendar
Time is short for the Indomitable Lions. David Pagou named Baleba in his squad for the double-header against Namibia on 12 and 16 November 2026, in the CAN 2027 qualifiers. Those two fixtures fall barely more than a week after the injury sustained against Roma.
No decision has been communicated at this stage: everything will depend on the ongoing tests. The medical results are therefore awaited before we know whether the midfielder will be able to answer the call.