According to The Sun, Baleba has kept his original support system intact, with his longtime personal assistant still part of his circle, his sister living with him, and his longtime agent Patrick continuing to play an important role in his life.

Carlos Baleba had dreamed for years of one day emerging from the tunnel as a Manchester United player. But after completing his spectacular summer transfer to Old Trafford, the Cameroonian star had to do something even more difficult: wait.

An injury delayed the start of his Manchester United career and prevented him from immediately showing fans why the club had worked so hard to bring him to Manchester. Off the pitch, however, Baleba is quietly adapting to his new environment. A tight-knit circle has helped keep him grounded.

The Sun learned that the former Brighton midfielder had deliberately retained much of his existing support system, which proved key to his success on England's south coast.

Patrick was with Baleba when he joined Lille as a teenager, facilitated his transfer to Brighton, and has remained by his side throughout the long journey to Manchester United.

This familiar support system has helped him weather the disappointment of joining his dream club without being able to play immediately. Fortunately, the injury was not serious.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said Baleba should make his long-awaited debut after the international break.

Ten Hag said: "He'll return to full training in about a week, so after the international break, he should be back to full fitness.

Carlos arrived injured, and he's now eager to play, keen to train with his teammates and truly integrate into the team. As I've already said, he's clearly a quality player, which is why we recruited him. And he brings excellent balance to midfield."

For the 22-year-old Baleba, the journey to Old Trafford is far more than just football.

He lost his mother during his time at Lille, an experience that shaped who he is today, and he has already told The Sun it deeply affected his life.

His father still lives in Cameroon and works as a coach, but has visited Manchester twice since his son's summer transfer. However, there are currently no plans for him to relocate permanently to the United Kingdom.

Just as when Baleba played for Brighton, his family hopes to maintain this beneficial structure: always there when he needs them, while giving him enough space to build his own life.

Baleba's support network extends well beyond his immediate family. Cameroon national team coach Song Alexis Gaston told The Sun he has deliberately maintained close contact with the midfielder during this important transition in his career.

Gaston also decided not to call up Baleba for the recent national team camp, partly due to his injury and partly to give him valuable time to settle in.

He told The Sun: "I've always been in touch with Carlos, and even more recently, because we want him to reach his highest level. I didn't call him up for this national team camp mainly because of his injury, but also because we want him to take it slow and settle well. He's always wanted this opportunity, but I told him that the way to succeed is to stay focused, work hard, and listen to the coach.

You already have the talent; just ignore the outside noise, and you'll succeed there."

In Cameroon, Baleba is widely regarded as a blessed child.

And there is an African proverb particularly fitting for the midfielder as he embarks on this challenging new chapter: "He who asks never strays." Fortunately, Baleba never lacks people to ask for help.

One of those people is his Manchester United teammate Mbeumo, also from Cameroon. Although they had already shared a national team dressing room, they were not particularly close before Baleba's arrival at Old Trafford. However, Mbeumo quickly began looking after his compatriot. He showed Baleba around Manchester and, in the first weeks following his arrival, essentially played the role of "big brother".

Then there is Onana. Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana is currently on loan at Trabzonspor, but his family still lives in Manchester.

Onana is another experienced figure Baleba can count on, and he has made it clear to the midfielder that if he needs help feeling at home in Manchester, he just has to ask.

Cyprian Bessong-Achou, who worked with Baleba as an assistant coach for the Cameroon national team, believes this support network will be crucial.

He told The Sun: "I've spoken with him. He's obviously a bit frustrated because he would have wanted to dive straight in. But other than that, he's doing well. They've found him accommodation, and his arrangements are very good.

He's a good guy, and he's well surrounded, so he's always managed well. You know, his agent Patrick is always with him, and they're handling everything. They've planned it all out, and everything is going smoothly."

When Baleba finally steps onto the Old Trafford pitch, the expectations waiting for him will be enormous. Manchester United has invested significantly in the midfielder, and the club believes he can become a key player in the future.

From the fans' perspective, his strength, impact, and dribbling ability are already supposed to solve some of the problems plaguing Manchester United's midfield. That also means pressure. Baleba knows it, and so does his circle.

But those close to the Cameroonian star are determined to ensure that the noise surrounding this crucial transition in his life never drowns out the guidance that has led him from Cameroon to Lille, Brighton, and now to Manchester.

Traduit par IA.

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