Eric Bailly: Manchester United defender absent due to positive Covid test, reveals Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Ivory coast centre-back has not returned to his club since testing positive for the disease while on international duty
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Eric Bailly was absent from Manchester United’s squad for Sunday’s Premier League victory over Brighton after the defender tested positive for coronavirus while on international duty, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed.
United were 2-1 winners against Brighton at Old Trafford, with Marcus Rashford equalising for the hosts after Danny Welbeck had struck against his old club, before Mason Greenwood’s late diving header sealed the result for Solskjaer’s side.
Both Rashford and Greenwood had been injury doubts before the game, as had centre-back Victor Lindelof, but all three started for United. Anthony Martial, a confirmed absentee ahead of kick-off, however, is likely to miss the rest of the season, Solskjaer said earlier on Sunday.
But Bailly was conspicuous in his absence, with Solskjaer saying after the final whistle that the centre-back had not returned from international duty with the Ivory Coast due to recording a positive Covid-19 test result.
“He won’t be with us for a little while,” United coach Solskjaer said.
Read more:
“He went away with the Ivory Coast and tested positive for Covid.
“He’s not back in the country yet.”
Second-placed United have eight games remaining in the Premier League this season, with a two-legged Europa League quarter-final tie against Granada also looming.
Thursday’s first leg marks United’s next outing, with a top-flight trip to Tottenham taking place after that match and before the second leg.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments