Eric Bailly in training

Why did Bailly miss the Brighton match?

Sunday 04 April 2021 23:50

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly has tested positive for COVID-19, after representing Ivory Coast during the latest international break.

The Reds centre-back, who turns 27 later this month, was a notable absentee when the starting line-up and substitutes were announced for the Easter Sunday game against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed after our 2-1 victory that Bailly has not yet returned to Manchester after testing positive for the virus while away with his national team.

90 in 20: United 2 Brighton 1 Video

90 in 20: United 2 Brighton 1

Watch the extended cut of Sunday's valuable Premier League victory in Manchester...

"Unfortunately he won't be with us for a little while," Ole told reporters at his post-match press conference.

"He's been away with Ivory Coast and he tested positive with COVID and he's not back in the country yet."

It's another blow for the Reds after Solskjaer revealed before kick-off that Anthony Martial is likely to be out for the remainder of the season after spraining his knee while he was away with France last week.

Marcus Rashford also limped off during our 2-1 victory but the manager hopes our no.10 will be fit to face Granada in the first leg of our Europa League quarter-final on Thursday night.

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