CARLOS BALEBA has spent years dreaming of the moment he would walk out as a Manchester United player.
move to Old Trafford, the Cameroon star has been forced to do something much harder, wait.
and denied him the chance to immediately show supporters why the club fought so hard to bring him to Manchester.
Yet behind the scenes, Baleba has quietly been settling into his new surroundings with the help of a close-knit circle determined to keep his feet firmly on the ground.
SunSport understands the former Brighton midfielder has deliberately maintained much of the same structure around him that helped him flourish on the south coast.
His private chef remains part of his team, his sister lives with him and his long-time manager Patrick continues to be a major presence in his life.
Patrick helped take Baleba to Lille as a teenager before overseeing his move to Brighton, and was alongside him throughout the long road that eventually led to United.
That familiar support network has helped minimise the frustration of arriving at his dream club unable to immediately get on the pitch.
Thankfully, the injury is not considered serious.
has already indicated Baleba could be ready to make his long-awaited debut following the international break.
Carrick said: “He’ll be back in and around the group at some point over the next week or so, so that means after internationals he should be in good shape.
“Carlos came being injured and then he’s desperate to get out there and be part of the group and training fully with the boys.
“I’ve said before, obviously, he’s a quality player, that’s why we bought him.
“And he balances off the dynamics of the midfield particularly well.”
For Baleba, 22, the journey to Old Trafford has been about far more than .
He suffered the devastating loss of his mother during his time at Lille, an experience he has previously told SunSport helped shape the man he has become.
His father remains in Cameroon, where he works as a coach, but has already travelled to Manchester twice since his son’s summer move.
There are no plans, however, for him to relocate permanently.
Just as they did during Baleba’s time at Brighton, the family want to maintain the structure that has served him so well, being there whenever he needs them while allowing him the independence to build his own life.
And Baleba’s support system stretches far beyond his immediate family.
Cameroon boss David Pagou has revealed to SunSport that he has deliberately remained in regular contact with the midfielder as he navigates one of the biggest transitions of his career.
Pagou also decided against calling Baleba up for the latest international fixtures, partly because of his injury but also to give him valuable time to settle.
He told SunSport: “I have always been in contact with Carlos but even more these days because we want him to get to the very top.
“I haven’t called him for this international mainly because he’s injured but also because we want him to take his time and adapt well.
“He’s wanted this chance but I told him the way to succeed is just get your head down, work hard and listen to your managers.
“You already have the talent, just block out the noise and you’ll be a success there.”
Back home in Cameroon, Baleba is regarded by many as a blessed child.
And there is an African proverb particularly fitting for the midfielder as he begins this daunting new chapter: “He who asks never gets lost”
Fortunately for Baleba, there is no shortage of people he can turn to.
One of them is his United team-mate and fellow Cameroon international .
The pair were not particularly close before Baleba arrived at Old Trafford, despite sharing a internationally.
But Mbeumo has quickly taken his compatriot under his wing.
He has helped show Baleba around Manchester and has effectively acted as a big brother during his first few weeks at the club.
Then there is Andre Onana.
The United goalkeeper remains away on loan at Trabzonspor but his family are still based in Manchester.
Onana is another senior figure Baleba can call upon and has made it clear to the midfielder that if he needs anything to help make Manchester feel like home, he only has to ask.
Cyprian Besong Ashu, who worked with Baleba during his spell as Cameroon’s assistant manager, believes that network will prove invaluable.
He told SunSport: “I have spoken to him. Obviously he’s frustrated because he would have wanted to get straight into things.
“But otherwise he’s fine. They found a place for him and his structure is very good.
“He’s a good kid with good people around him, so he’s been fine.
“You know Patrick, his agent, is always with him and they control everything.
“They put everything into the plan already and it’s been going well.”
The expectations awaiting Baleba when he finally steps on to the Old Trafford pitch are enormous.
United have invested heavily in a midfielder they believe can become a major part of their future.
And among supporters there is already hope that his power, energy and ability on the ball could provide an answer to problems that have plagued United’s midfield.
That brings pressure. Baleba knows it. Those around him know it too.
But the people closest to the Cameroon star are determined to ensure that the noise surrounding one of the biggest moves of his life never becomes louder than the advice that carried him from Cameroon to Lille, Brighton and now .
