Manchester United will trigger their option to extend Eric Bailly’s contract for a further year, according to reports in the UK. The centre-back is currently sidelined with a serious knee injury but the club are keen to keep hold of the player.

The Ivorian’s current deal expires in June, and the Red Devils are not prepared to allow the defender to leave for nothing next summer. The likes of Arsenal and Tottenham have been linked with the centre-half over the past year.

United paid £30m for Bailly in 2016 but he has spent a large portion of his career at Old Trafford on the treatment table. The 25-year-old sustained his latest injury during United’s pre-season tour of Asia, after being taken off in the 2-1 friendly win over Spurs back in July. He is expected to return to first-team training at the end of next month.

Since arriving at the club, the Ivorian international has made just 74 appearances for the club, with ankle, knee and head injuries all keeping him out of first-team contention.