Jose Mourinho: 'Eric Bailly does not need knee surgery'

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 17 December 2016

Jose Mourinho says that Eric Bailly will not need surgery for his latest knee injury and hopes to have him back for Manchester United's final two home matches of 2016.

Jose Mourinho has confirmed that defender Eric Bailly will not need to undergo surgery for his latest injury.

The 23-year-old, who has only just returned from a long lay-off, picked up a knee problem in the early stages of the Premier League win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

Bailly claimed after the 2-1 victory that the injury was not serious, and Mourinho is hopeful that the Ivory Coast international will return for the home games against Sunderland and Middlesbrough.

When asked by Sky Sports News about the severity of Bailly's injury, the Portuguese coach replied: "I don't know how long, but no surgery.

"By the movement on the pitch we thought meniscus but no. It's a question to see the evolution. Hopefully we have him for these last two matches at home."

Bailly was making his first start for United in almost two months at Selhurst Park after damaging ligaments in his right knee in the 4-0 defeat at Chelsea on October 23.