Bailly plays down injury fears to United fans

The Ivory Coast international was recalled to the starting XI for our Premier League match at Old Trafford as Ralf Rangnick made six changes to the team. 

Midway through the second half, after going to ground, Bailly was quickly replaced by substitute Raphael Varane and it appeared he may have been injured. 

However, in a video for our supporters, the no.3 seemingly plays down talk of a setback ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.

"Thank you to all of the fans for the support tonight," says Eric. "It was a good victory. I am good, I am good, just tired. A good win to finish the year."

Speaking in the post-match press conference, Rangnick revealed Bailly had already left United for the upcoming tournament in Cameroon but helpfully returned when Victor Lindelof tested positive for COVID-19.

“Eric had already left, actually, three or four days ago for the Africa Cup of Nations, but he was still in Spain and we asked him to come back,” said the German to reporters. 

“I think he did well, apart from the mistake for the goal we conceded, so I think it was a very good performance from Eric. It was very concentrated and very focused.”

The 2022 Africa Cup of Nations tournament is set to start on 9 January.

Bailly has been named in the Ivory Coast squad, but his United team-mate Amad has not been included as he will hope to gain more senior experience in the new year. 

Eric should be involved in the following fixtures at least: 

12 Jan | Equatorial Guinea v Ivory Coast
16 Jan | Ivory Coast v Sierra Leone 
20 Jan | Ivory Coast v Algeria

Meanwhile, United youngster Hannibal was today named in the Tunisia squad and he can now look forward to these group-stage games:

12 Jan | Tunisia v Mali
16 Jan | Tunisia v Mauritania
20 Jan | Gambia v Tunisia