Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Eric Bailly has fully recovered from ankle ligament damage and will be available for selection against Huddersfield Town.
The Ivorian hasn’t featured since November having suffered ankle ligament damage against Chelsea and undergoing surgery in December.
Reports claimed that Bailly would return to first team training on Friday and possibly be in contention to face Sevilla next week.
But Mourinho has handed supporters a pleasant surprise following a difficult week by revealing that the 23-year-old had managed to recover in time for the FA Cup clash with David Wagner’s men.
Jose Mourinho has told #MUTV that Eric Bailly is fit and ready for Saturday's @EmiratesFACup tie with Huddersfield, but Ander Herrera and Marcus Rashford are ruled out. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/2kYMI6Svb8
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 16, 2018
Defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United revealed in glowing terms that relying on Phil Jones and Chris Smalling as a defensive partnership is simply not an option.
Man United will never be at full strength without the rambunctious Ivorian at the heart of defence and his return during a period of immense scrutiny for Mourinho is perfectly timed.
Bailly doesn’t just help solidify United’s back four; he gives them a brutal edge that, as Jamaal Lascelles rightly noted on Sunday, was desperately missing from the performance at St James’ Park.
Supporters will hope that the return of Bailly to the dressing room and starting XI has a galvanising effect ahead of crucial clashes with Sevilla and Chelsea.