Manchester United defender Eric Bailly ruled out for up to three months as ankle injury requires surgery
- Jose Mourinho insisted the defender would not be out for the rest of the season
- Ivorian defender Eric Bailly last featured for Manchester United on November 5
- The 23-year-old picked up the ankle injury while he was on international duty
- Bailly is facing a race to be fit for the Champions League game against Sevilla
Jose Mourinho revealed Eric Bailly is out for months after needing surgery on an ankle injury.
The Manchester United defender has been missing since a defeat by Chelsea on November 5.
Mourinho said earlier in the week that United hoped to nurse Bailly back to fitness without an operation but that has failed.
Manchester United defender Eric Bailly has been ruled out for up to three months
The Ivorian last appeared for United in the game against Chelsea on November 5
'He goes to surgery, the decision is made,' Mourinho said.
'I don't say [he's out] for the rest of the season but it's for the next two or three months.'
It leaves Bailly facing a race to be fit for the return of the Champions League against Sevilla in late February.
Phil Jones and Chris Smalling were partnered in defence during Wednesday's win over Bournemouth.
Jose Mourinho insisted that the 23-year-old centre back would not be out for the whole season
Marcos Rojo missed the midweek game after a knock against Manchester City, with Victor Lindelof in reserve.
Mourinho - who would be sitting at the top of the Premier League at this stage last season with United's 38 points - claimed he always knew the size of the task at hand.
'I knew it wasn't going to be an easy job,' he added. 'I had that experience before.
Bailly will have to go through surgery and could miss the game against Sevilla
'We go to clubs with a huge history where people look to the history and not to the moment and expectations are high.
'The job is difficult but I've had that experience before.
'When I went to Real Madrid. They were in a difficult moment, no league title or cup, not even a Champions League quarter final for many years.
'It was hard but it was good for my development as a manager too.'
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