Manchester United injury news: Eric Bailly delivers positive update as fresh setback 'isn't too serious'

Bailly limped out of his first Premier League start in nearly two months but has told fans his injury is not as bad as first feared

Eric Bailly posted a positive injury update on Twitter to the delight of Manchester United fans (Twitter/@ericbailly24)

Manchester United were given a boost by the news that the knee injury suffered by Eric Bailly is not expected to be a bad one, with the defender taking to social media to confirm it is “not too serious”.

Bailly limped out of his first Premier League start for United in nearly two months when he suffered a knock to his left knee, the opposite one to which he suffered knee ligament damage during the loss to Chelsea on 23 October that kept him on the sidelines.

Bailly was able to return much quicker than expected, making his first start just six weeks after suffering the original injury in the Europa League victory over Zorya Ludansk last week, but his Premier League return was curtailed short when he suffered a new injury in the first half of Wednesday’s victory over Crystal Palace.

22-year-old Bailly drew praise from his manager, Jose Mourinho, for attempting to battle on, but he was eventually forced from the field in the 52nd minute and Mourinho admitted afterwards that he did not know how bad the injury was.

The Ivory Coast international took to Twitter on Thursday though to deliver some good news in that the it was not a bad one, and thanked fans for sending him messages of support.

“Happy to announce that my injury isn't too serious. Hope to be able to help my team again soon!” Bailly wrote. “Thank you for the support!”

Mourinho has previously questioned some of his players commitment to fight through the pain barrier, with both Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw targeting in public outbursts from the Portuguese, but Bailly drew praise after attempting to carry on in the 2-1 victory at Selhurst Park.

“It is the left knee. So he is not coming back to a previous injury,” Mourinho told BT Sport after Wednesday’s match.

“Of course he has a problem with another dimension but he showed amazing character to try and try, and try until his limit.”

Mourinho added on MUTV: “He could resist for so long. I would say for about 75 minutes he could resist. He is a special guy and his pain level is really high.”

Mourinho will speak to the media later on Friday to confirm how long he expects to be without Bailly for if the injury requires some time off, while Shaw could also return for this weekend’s trip to West Bromwich Albion.

United will definitely be without Henrikh Mkhitaryan though, with the Armenia international ruled out until Boxing Day with the injury he suffered against Tottenham last week, while Smalling is also not expected to feature until after Christmas.