Weekly sports diary
ERIC Bailly will be out of action for up to three months after Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho revealed the defender needed ankle surgery.
The 23-year-old Ivory Coast international has not played since the match against Chelsea on November 5.
Mourinho told MUTV: “He goes to surgery, the decision is made. I don’t say (he’s out) for the rest of the season but it’s for the next two or three months.”
Bailly’s absence leaves the likes of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo and Victor Lindelof to cover United’s central defensive area, but with the transfer window hoving into view Mourinho has other options too.
The Portuguese is not approaching the prospect with any great enthusiasm but admits he could be tempted to do business if the right individuals came along.
“I’m not a big defender of the January market but there are players and situations that sometimes you have the chance to do and you shouldn’t lose that chance,” he said. “I don’t like the January market just to buy but if you can buy in January a player that you would buy in June or July and you have the chance to get him a few months before then great, but just that.”
But if Mourinho is eyeing a move for one of European football’s most coveted talents, he was not letting on.
“I don’t speak about players, especially players that belong to other clubs, there is no sense,” he said.
Paul Pogba completes his three-game ban as United travel to West Brom tomorrow, but there are questions over the fitness of Marouane Fellaini and Rojo.
Michael Carrick remains out but the likes of Marcus Rashford, Ander Herrera and Ashley Young may start after being named on the bench against Bournemouth. Town, Gomersal White v Norristhorpe, St Columbas v Brighouse Blue, Wyke Wndrs v Town End
Gomersal Red V Elland Utd, Greetland V Brighouse Sports B, Linthwaite V Cleckheaton, LS27 V Hepworth Utd B, Netherton Falcons V Ossett Albion B, Westend Tigers V Scissett
Bradford Park Ave B v Rothwell, Brighouse Red v Hade Edge, Lepton White v Battyeford Red, Lindley v Kirkheaton, Park Avenue v Northowram Rams, Phoenix v Brighouse Sports C Honley v Shelley Red, King Cross v Ryburn Utd, Linthwaite v Rothwell, YMCA v Ossett Town Upperthong v Horbury Town, Brighouse Blue v Shelf, Gomersal v Netherton, Hebden Bridge v Littletown B, Thornton Utd v Birstall Rovers, Warley Rgs v Upperthong Birstall Rvs B v Rastrick, Clifton Rgs v Littletown, Elland v Dewsbury Rgs, Salts v YMCA B Battyeford v YMCA, Durkar v Warley Rgs, Greetland v Shelley Red, Lepton Hlnds v Shelf Cumberworth v Howden Clough Orange, Phoenix v Park Avenue, Salts v Norristhorpe