Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed that defender Eric Bailly could undergo surgery after an injury he sustained a while back.

The Ivorian picked up an injury back in November, and has already missed 8 of United’s last fixtures. But Jose confirmed the injury is ‘serious’, and could require surgery.

It is a huge blow for United, with Bailly posing as one of the club’s best defenders. He will certainly miss the rest of 2017, and could be set for months on the sidelines with many reports saying as many as 6!

Speaking after United’s 1-0 victory over Bournemouth, Mourinho said: “I think it is serious. I don’t know [how long he will be out]. It is an injury that came from the last time he was with the national team.

“We are trying a conservative treatment but if the treatment is not resulting then probably it will end in a surgery procedure but let’s wait a little bit more.”
[Quotes via Sky Sports]

United do have several defensive options to cover for Bailly in Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof. They also have Axel Tuanzebe who has impressed whenever he has come into the side. But Bailly will be a huge loss for the Red Devils as he has been such a defensive general for the club whenever he has played.