Baleba has yet to feature for United since his Ā£70 million move from Brighton & Hove Albion over the summer, having arrived carrying an ankle injury that ruled him out of the start of the season.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday's Carabao Cup third-round tie against his former club, Carrick gave his clearest update yet on when the Cameroon international will be available.
"Yeah, he definitely will be," Carrick said, asked whether Baleba would be ready to go after the international break. "He'll be back in and around the group at some point over the next week or so. So that means, after the internationals, he should be in good shape."
Carrick added that Baleba's enforced absence has only sharpened his appetite to get started.
"He's come and, with being injured, then he's desperate to get out there and be part of the group and training fully with the boys," Carrick said.
"I've said before, he's obviously a quality player. It's why we brought him here and he balances off the dynamics of the midfield particularly well."
Baleba's return would provide a timely boost for United, who face Brighton at Old Trafford without several other options. Matthijs de Ligt remains a doubt with no firm timeline for his comeback, while Amad is not thought to be close either. Luke Shaw offered better news at left-back, with Carrick suggesting he "could possibly be fit for Brighton," though stressing "it's not clear cut."
Patrick Dorgu deputised well in Shaw's absence during Sunday's derby defeat to Manchester City, a performance Carrick praised as he weighed up his options.
On the wider question of squad rotation for the cup tie, Carrick made clear that despite the value of blooding fringe players, beating Brighton remains the priority.
"It's important for us to win football matches, and it's important that we manage the squad as well and keep everyone up to speed, keep everyone ready, keep everyone part of it," he said. "But we're certainly going into Wednesday trying to win the game."
Manchester United will be looking to respond after Sunday's controversial 1-0 derby defeat, with Carrick insisting his players retain the "edge" needed to bounce back regardless of the disappointment. Getting Baleba fit and firing in the coming weeks, though, remains the more pressing long-term priority for a squad already missing several key figures through injury.