Trouble for Mourinho: In-form United defender to miss five weeks of action
Sep 5, 2016 at 10:46 AM
Jose Mourinho is set to lose Eric Bailly for up to five weeks between January and February after Ivory Coast qualified for Africa Cup of Nations.
The 22-year-old has made a blistering start to life at Old Trafford after his £30million move from Villarreal.
The defender has been United’s most consistent performer and looks to be developing a strong partnership with Daley Blind in the heart of United’s defence.
The Ivory Coast needed to avoid defeat against Sierra Leone to make January’s tournament and a 1-1 draw means the Elephants have now qualified.
Bailly is a certainty to make the squad and the tournament begins on the 14th January, with the final on the 5th February.
It’s customary for players to meet up with their squads a fortnight before the tournament begins, meaning Bailly faces a maximum of five weeks out of the United side.
Jose Mourinho may well contest Bailly’s inclusion in any pre-tournament training squads but the Ivory Coast’s qualification will come as bad news to the 53-year-old.
Bailly has made an extremely impressive start to life at Old Trafford following his £30m move from Villarreal in the summer, slotting seamlessly into Mourinho’s heart of defence alongside Daley Blind, winning three Man of the Match awards in the process.
The Africa Cup of Nations runs from 14th January to February 5th, leaving Bailly unavailable for home games against Liverpool, Hull City and Watford and trips to Stoke City and champions Leicester City.
Mourinho has praised Bailly’s performances in a United shirt so far and knows his absence will be sorely felt. It is possible the United boss will reignite his interest in Southampton captain Jose Fonte, perhaps depending on injuries.
“When you buy somebody like him you have always a question mark which is the way,” Mourinho said of Bailly after United’s win against Bournemouth.
“The personality has to adapt to a completely different situation to before. Playing in Spain is a completely different situation to playing in England. Playing for Villarreal is different to playing for Man U. Playing to finish four, five or six in the table is different to try and win it.
“But he is showing big personality which is incredible. The reality is that he is showing great qualities.”