Manchester United's Eric Bailly may need season-ending surgery on ankle injury hints Jose Mourinho

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly could require surgery that may end his season, boss Jose Mourinho has revealed.

Centre-back Bailly has not played for the Old Trafford giants since their 1-0 defeat at Chelsea on November 5, with Mourinho describing the 23-year-old's ankle issue as "serious".

The United manager explained the injury occurred on international duty with Ivory Coast last month and said the club were doing all they can before resorting to the last option of surgery.

"I think it's serious," said Mourinho of his £30million buy from Spain's Villarreal in summer 2016.

"We're trying a conservative treatment, but if the conservative treatment is not working, he might have a surgery procedure.

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

"Probably the doctor can inform you better. Is not a problem for me. We don't want to speak about it."

Asked if surgery could spell the end of Bailly's season, Mourinho didn't say no, adding: "I don't want to be pessimistic, I want to leave it with the doctor.

"Today we played with Smalling and Jones, and Lindelof on the bench.

"Marcos Rojo is injured, but nothing really big, so during all season we have problems with central defenders. But Smalling is playing amazingly well, so we're fine."

United remain 11 points behind leaders and local rivals City after Wednesday's 1-0 home win over Bournemouth.

Mourinho is refusing to give up on the title race, despite that sizeable gap.

"I said we play match after match and the next we have to try to win," said Mourinho. "It's only over in May.

"If it's over now, I go on holiday to Brazil or Los Angeles."