Mourinho: Bailly could be out for season

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Jose Mourinho admitted he is not certain if Manchester United defender Eric Bailly will play again this season after revealing he may need surgery on a persistent ankle injury.

Bailly, 23, has not played for United since a defeat at Chelsea at the start of last month, having sustained the injury while on international duty with the Ivory Coast.

And United manager Mourinho, who signed the centre-back from Villarreal last year, admits he is concerned by the lack of progress.

Speaking after Wednesday night’s 1-0 victory over Bournemouth, Mourinho said: “I think it’s serious. I don’t know. It’s an injury that comes from last time he went to the national team.

“Since then we have been trying a conservative treatment but if that conservative treatment is not working as we wish, he will either have surgery or a procedure. Let’s wait a little bit more.