United defender facing five months out injured

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly faces up to five months out following knee surgery, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed.

Solskjaer revealed the extent of Bailly’s injury after Juan Mata’s late penalty gave United a 1-0 win over Kristiansund, the team from the town where he was born – and for whom the Norwegian’s son Noah made his debut as a late substitute.

Bailly suffered the injury during United’s 2-1 win over Tottenham in their pre-season meeting in Shanghai last week, and the Reds boss has now revealed the full extent of the damage.

‘He’s had an operation,’ Solskjaer said after the game. ‘He’ll miss the best part of four or five months. Hopefully, we’ll get him back around about Christmas.’

The news means that United’s bid to sign a new central defender is sure to be stepped up, with Leicester City’s Harry Maguire still a top target for the boss. Meanwhile, there is also fresh talk that a bid could go in for long-term United target Samuel Umtiti, but it remains to be seen whether Barcelona will sell.