Manchester United have received a much-needed injury boost with Eric Bailly due to report for first-team training on Friday. The Ivorian has not featured for the Red Devils since November after he sustained an ankle problem while training on international duty.
According to The Manchester Evening News, the 23-year-old is likely to join his teammates in full training on Friday after going through individual sessions to build up his fitness earlier in the month.
Despite this, Mourinho is unlikely to risk him straightaway for the FA Cup fifth round tie at Huddersfield Town, though the Champions League trip to Sevilla could be a possible date for his participation.
The central defence has looked vulnerable over the past couple of away matches, and both Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have received the vast share of the blame for the defeats at Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.
Smalling was at fault versus Newcastle after his needless dive gifted the Magpies the only goal of the game via a free-kick. Phil Jones, meanwhile, scored an own goal versus Spurs due to his poor positioning, and the losses have potentially put United in a tussle for the Champions League spots.
Bailly and summer signing Victor Lindelof have been reckoned by many as the future pairing at the heart of United’s defence, and it will be interesting to see whether the duo can form a quality partnership.
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