Carlos Baleba’s Cameroon return in doubt after Manchester United injury

Carlos Baleba could miss Cameroon’s upcoming Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers against Namibia after suffering a hamstring injury while playing for Manchester United.

The midfielder was forced off in the 51st minute of Tuesday’s Champions League match against AS Roma, holding the back of his thigh. Manchester United recovered from 2-0 down to win 3-2, a result that will have pleased manager Michael Carrick as he attempts to ease the pressure on his position.

Baleba’s injury is a concern for both club and country. The 22-year-old had been receiving treatment for an ankle problem before joining Manchester United this summer, and there are fears that his latest setback could keep him out for a significant period.

The length of his absence will depend on the severity of the hamstring problem. A grade-one injury would be the least serious outcome and could allow him to return within a few days.

A grade-two injury would involve a partial tear to the muscle or tendon and would require at least three weeks on the sidelines, with recovery potentially taking as long as six weeks. The most serious possibility would be a grade-three injury, which could require a minimum of eight weeks to heal.

Cameroon manager David Pagou included Baleba in the squad announced last week for the third and fourth rounds of the CAN 2027 qualifiers. The team are scheduled to face Namibia this month, but his withdrawal now appears possible depending on the diagnosis.

Baleba has not played for the Cameroon national team since the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations at the start of the year. Pagou selected a changed squad in March, while the Lions Indomptables did not play in June. Baleba then missed the September fixtures before being named in the latest squad for the Namibia matches.

If he is ruled out in November, Baleba would complete a year without appearing for Cameroon. He would not be able to return to international duty before March 2027.

The midfielder’s absence would therefore extend a difficult spell away from the national side, just as he was due to make his return under Pagou. Cameroon will now wait for further assessment of the injury sustained at Manchester United before confirming whether Baleba can take part in the qualifiers.