According to The Sun, Baleba has maintained his original support circle, including his private chef, his sister who lives with him, and his lifelong agent Patrick, who continues to play an important role in his life.

Carlos Baleba has dreamed for years of running out of the tunnel as a Manchester United player. But after completing his high-profile transfer to Old Trafford this summer, the Cameroonian star has had to do something even harder: wait.

An injury delayed the start of his Manchester United career and prevented him from immediately showing fans why the club worked so hard to bring him to Manchester. Off the pitch, however, Baleba is quietly settling into his new environment. A close circle has been helping him stay grounded.

The Sun understands that the former Brighton midfielder deliberately maintained most of his original support structure, which was key to his success on the south coast of England.

Patrick stood by Baleba when he took him to Lille as a teenager, then facilitated his transfer to Brighton and finally accompanied him on the journey to Manchester United.

This family support system has helped him cope with the disappointment of joining his dream club but being unable to play immediately. Fortunately, the injury is not serious.

Manchester United manager Carrick has indicated that Baleba is expected to make his debut after the international break.

Carrick said: "He'll be back to full training in about a week, so he should be in good shape after the international break.

"Carlos arrived with an injury and he's desperate to get going, desperate to train with his teammates and really integrate into the squad. I've said before that he's obviously a quality player, that's why we signed him. And it gives us good balance in midfield."

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

He lost his mother during his time at Lille, an experience that marked him and, as he previously told The Sun, deeply affected his life.

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

Just as when Baleba played for Brighton, his family aims to maintain this helpful life structure: always present when needed, while giving him enough space to build his own life.

Baleba's support network extends well beyond his immediate family. Cameroon national team manager Rigobert Song told The Sun that he has been maintaining close contact with the midfielder as his career undergoes significant changes.

Song also decided not to call up Baleba for the recent international fixture, partly due to his injury and partly in the hope that he would have valuable time to settle in.

He told The Sun: "I've always been in contact with Carlos, and even more so these days, because we want him to reach the highest level. I didn't call him up for this international match mainly because he was injured, but also because we want him to take his time and settle in well. He's always wanted this opportunity, but I told him that the way to succeed is to keep his head down, work hard, and listen to his coach.

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

In Cameroon, Baleba is considered by many to be divinely blessed.

And there is an African proverb that is particularly fitting for the midfielder as he embarks on this new and challenging chapter: "He who asks never loses his way." Fortunately, Baleba has never lacked people to turn to.

One of them is his Manchester United teammate Nouhou Tolo, also from Cameroon. Although the two had shared a dressing room for the national team before, they weren't particularly close until Baleba arrived at Old Trafford. However, Tolo quickly began looking after his compatriot. He showed Baleba around Manchester and, in the first weeks after his arrival, effectively 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 also one of the senior figures Baleba can rely on, and he has made it clear to the midfielder that if he needs help making Manchester feel like home, all he has to do is ask.

Cyprian Bessong Ashu, who worked with Baleba as an assistant coach for Cameroon's national team, believes this support network will be crucial.

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

"He's a good lad and he has good people around him, so he's been fine. You know, his agent Patrick is always with him and they're handling everything. They've planned everything and everything is going smoothly."

When Baleba finally takes to the Old Trafford pitch, the expectations awaiting him will be enormous. Manchester United has invested heavily in the midfielder, and the club believes he can become an important player for the future.

For the fans, his strength, impact, and dribbling ability are already expected to address some of the problems plaguing Manchester United's midfield. This also means pressure. Baleba knows it, and so do those around him.

But those closest to the Cameroonian star are determined to ensure that the noise surrounding this important step in his career never drowns out the guidance that has guided him from Cameroon to Lille, Brighton, and now Manchester.

Traducido por IA.

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