Carlos Baleba injury adds to Manchester United's Old Trafford chaos

Carlos Baleba's injury became the latest setback in a frantic night at Old Trafford, even as Manchester United beat AS Roma 3-2 in the Champions League. He pulled up with a hamstring issue just seconds into the second half, appeared to be in tears while receiving treatment, and was replaced by Youri Tielemans in the 51st minute.

United's early hole

The damage had already started before Baleba went down. Manchester United were 2-0 down inside 17 minutes after goals from Matias Soule and Donyell Malen, and the home side spent much of the opening half chasing the game.

Sports Mole said United managed just 0.24 Expected Goals before the break. That figures with a first half that never really settled, even before the injury scare that followed after the interval.

Alan Shearer, speaking to manchestereveningnews.co.uk, said: "For the first time they were able to unlock that back five with a run in behind and a pass into the path of Baleba. He did ever so well to get there, and I think once he gets to that byline is he going to cross it, and then all of a sudden you see him pull up with that right hamstring, and it doesn't look good at all."

Baleba's minutes are the other concern. He has played just 235 league minutes this season, and the injury comes after only four Premier League appearances. Manchestereveningnews.co.uk says he has made seven appearances for United, while SI said six, so the total is not fully aligned across reports.

Another problem for a stretched squad

Wayne Rooney, also speaking to manchestereveningnews.co.uk, said: "The penalty and getting the goal makes a big difference, but since then the energy and desire to get the ball, we are seeing a few more tackles and that lifts the crowd. The crowd are now getting behind the team, and it gives them a bit more belief that they get can something out of the game."

Bruno Fernandes helped turn the result around from the spot, but the larger takeaway for United is the injury list around the team. They sit 17th in the Champions League league phase and 17th in the Premier League, so the margin for another setback is thin.

Matheus Cunha was also in the line-up for Manchester United vs AS Roma, but the headline came from Baleba going off again. United got the win, yet the bigger question on the night was whether they can keep enough bodies available for the next run of games.