According to The Sun, Baleba has retained key members of his support system around him, including his personal chef, while his sister lives with him and his long-time agent Patrick continues to play a vital role in his life.

Carlos Baleba had long dreamed of one day emerging from the tunnel as a Manchester United player. However, following the completion of his sensational summer transfer to Old Trafford, the Cameroonian star has had to do something far more difficult: wait.

An injury has delayed the start of his Manchester United career and prevented him from quickly showing fans why the club worked so hard to bring him to Manchester. Yet off the pitch, Baleba has quietly been settling into his new surroundings, with a close circle helping keep him grounded.

The Sun understands that the former Brighton midfielder has deliberately retained much of his previous support team around him, which was key to his success on England's south coast.

Patrick has been by Baleba's side throughout his journey, from bringing him to Lille as a teenager, then facilitating his move to Brighton, and finally the long road to Manchester United.

This familiar 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 Erik ten Hag has indicated that Baleba is expected to make his long-awaited debut following the international break.

Ten Hag said: "He will be back in full training in about a week, so after the international break, he should be in good shape.

"Carlos came with an injury, and he's very keen to play now, train with his teammates, and really integrate into the team. As I've said before, he's clearly a quality player, which is why we recruited him. And he provides good balance in midfield."

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

He lost his mother while at Lille, an experience that has shaped who he is today, and he previously told The Sun that it has influenced 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 move permanently to England.

Just as during Baleba's time at Brighton, his family wants to maintain the life structure that has been so beneficial to him: always there when he needs them, while also giving him enough space to build his own life.

Baleba's support network extends beyond his immediate family. Cameroon manager Rigobert Song told The Sun that he has maintained close contact with the midfielder during this significant transition in his career.

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

He told The Sun: "I've been in touch with Carlos, especially recently, because we want him to reach the highest level. I didn't call him up for this national team camp primarily because of his injury, but also because we want him to take it slowly and adapt well. He's always wanted this opportunity, but I told him that the way to succeed is to stay humble, 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 widely regarded as a gifted young man.

And there is an African proverb that fits the midfielder perfectly as he embarks on this challenging new chapter: "He who asks never gets lost." Fortunately, Baleba has never lacked people to turn to for help.

One is his Manchester United teammate Mbeumo, who also hails from Cameroon. Though they previously shared a national team dressing room, they weren't particularly close before Baleba arrived at Old Trafford. However, Mbeumo quickly began looking out for his countryman, showing Baleba around Manchester and essentially playing the role of "big brother" during his first few weeks.

Then there's Onana. Manchester United's current goalkeeper is on loan at Trabzonspor, but his family still lives in Manchester.

Onana is also one of the senior figures Baleba can rely on, having told the midfielder that he just needs to ask if he needs anything to make Manchester feel like home.

Cyprian Bessong Ashu, who works 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. He's clearly a bit frustrated because he wants to jump straight into everything. But other than that, he's doing well. They've found accommodation for him, and the arrangements are excellent.

"He's a good kid with good people around him, so he's always fine. You know, his agent Patrick is always with him, and they manage everything. They've planned everything, and it's all 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 could be a crucial part of their future.

For fans, his strength, dynamism, and ball-carrying ability are already seen as a potential solution to some of the problems plaguing Manchester United's midfield. This also means pressure, which Baleba knows, and which those around him also know.

But those closest to the Cameroonian star are determined to ensure that the noise surrounding this life-changing transfer never overshadows the guidance that has led him from Cameroon to Lille, Brighton, and now to Manchester United.

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