Manchester United lose Baleba for weeks as Michael Carrick discusses his injury

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick announced that midfielder Carlos Baleba will be out for several weeks with a hamstring injury sustained in Tuesday’s 3-2 win over Roma. Carrick said the player would not be available this week or during the international break starting on Monday, and that his absence is a blow to the team.

Carrick added that Patrick Dorgu returned to training with the team at the start of the week after being out with a hamstring problem, but his involvement in the weekend match has not yet been decided, as he needs to build up gradually and have his condition managed.

Asked whether he could reach Alex Ferguson’s levels at United, Carrick said it was not impossible, but stressed the need to build and be realistic, and that success takes time. The team are in seventeenth place, above the relegation zone on goal difference.

At Manchester City, manager Enzo Maresca expressed confidence that goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma can regain his form, despite making three errors leading to goals this season, including one against Leipzig on Wednesday. Maresca confirmed that the goalkeeper would remain in the starting lineup against Nottingham Forest, saying Donnarumma was aware of his mistakes and needed to keep working and avoid them. He also made clear that his place was not under threat from backup goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli.

Maresca said Nico O’Reilly was available, but had not joined the England squad because he was not fully fit; he will receive treatment over the next two weeks for a back problem.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Declan Rice’s desire to improve, after his call-up to the England squad. He noted that Rice had provided five assists in the Premier League this season, the highest tally among players, and scored a goal in the Champions League. He explained that the team were working to add more threat and variety to their play, making use of Rice’s ability to carry the ball forward, his set pieces and his shooting.

Unai Emery confirmed that talks had been held over a new contract with Aston Villa, with the aim of strengthening the club’s long-term project. He said his meeting with club chairman Nassef Sawiris had been positive and that they would continue the discussion next week. He pointed to the ambition to sustain progress, increase revenue and the budget, develop players and bring in young talent.