Man Utd Handed Huge Injury Boost As Key Man Returns To Training

Manchester United have been handed a major injury boost after Eric Bailly returned to training following a serious knee injury, according to the Manchester Evening News.

Bailly suffered knee ligament damage during United’s 4-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge back in mid-October and was initially expected to be on the sidelines until the New Year.

The Ivory Coast international has been making excellent progress in his recovery and boss Jose Mourinho confirmed last week that the defender was now due to be back playing ahead of schedule.

It looks as though Bailly has now taken a huge step towards making his comeback as the Manchester Evening News are reporting that the centre-back has returned to training with the rest of the first team squad at Carrington this week.

After over five weeks on the sidelines, the 22-year-old will no doubt need some time to build on fitness before he’ll be considered available for selection again but the news will come as a welcome boost to Mourinho.

Bailly was in excellent form at Old Trafford following his big-money summer move from Villarreal so his return can’t come soon enough for a beleaguered United side that slipped 11 points off the pace in the title race following Sunday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham.

The defender will miss tomorrow’s EFL Cup quarter-final clash with the Hammers and is unlikely to be risked against Everton at the weekend but as long as he doesn’t suffer any setbacks in his recovery, he could be in contention to make his return when Tottenham head to Old Trafford on December 11th.

That would mean that Bailly would be available during the hectic festive period when United face the likes of Sunderland, Middlesbrough and West Ham, however, the defender would then be due to link-up with the Ivory Coast squad at the start of January ahead of the African Nations Cup in Gabon.