Manchester United defender sidelined for at least two months

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has revealed Eric Bailly will undergo surgery on an ankle injury and will be injured for at least two months.

Bailly has missed United’s last eight matches through injury and Mourinho revealed earlier this week that his injury was a serious concern.

United have now decided to put Bailly under the knife but Mourinho is hopeful the defender can return to first-team action before the end of the season.

“He goes to surgery, the decision is made,” Mourinho said at his pre-match news conference on Friday. “I don’t say [he’s out] for the rest of the season but it’s for the next two or three months.”

Bailly has quickly established himself as United’s best defender since joining from Villarreal over a year ago and his absence will be a huge blow for Mourinho’s side.

In fact, United have won 59.4% of their Premier League matches that Bailly has started compared to less than half (47.8%) when he has not been available to feature from the off.

This season, United have only conceded four goals in 10 matches Bailly has started across league and European competition.