Manchester United’s Bailly expects two-month lay-off

LONDON: Manchester United c ent r e - b ack E r ic Bai l ly expects to return within two months after injuring his knee during his side’s 4- 0 Premier League defeat at Chelsea, he said on Tuesday.

“I wanted to thank you for all the messages of support that I received since the injury!” the Ivory Coast defender wrote on his official Facebook page.

“I hope to be able to play again for United and The Elephants before 2 months, God willing. Thanks for a lways being there!”

The message was accompanied by a picture of Bailly sitting in the passenger seat of a car at United’s training ground, with his right leg in a brace.

A close - season signing f rom Vi l l a r r ea l , B ai l ly limped off early in the second hal f at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with Marcos Rojo coming on to take his place.

“He is injured and I’m afraid he’s badly injured,” manager Jose Mourinho said in his postmatch press conference.

“In his knee, in the ligament area, he feels that is really bad.”

Bailly, 22, joined United from Spanish side Villarreal in June for a reported fee of £ 30 million ( US$ 36.7 million, 33.7 million euros).

The Ivorian has been a vir tual ever- present this season, start ing a l l 12 of United’s Premier League and Europa League games and only sitting out a League Cup tie. — AFP