Eric Bailly has handed Manchester United a boost ahead of the festive schedule by returning to training.
Bailly, 22, limped out of United’s 2-1 Premier League win against Crystal Palace following a knee-high challenge by Lee Chung-Yong, but sources close to the player said the Ivory Coast international was not expecting a long lay-off from the injury.
The summer signing from Villarreal missed nine games after damaging knee ligaments against Chelsea on Oct. 23, returning to action in the Europa League win against Zorya Luhansk on Dec. 8.
United have Premier League home game against Sunderland and Middlesbrough on Dec. 26 and Dec. 31 before a trip to West Ham United on Jan. 2.
Bailly is then set to fly out to Gabon in early January to link up with his national team for their defence of the Africa Nations Cup.
Should the Ivory Coast progress to the final in Libreville on Feb. 5, Bailly will be unavailable for United until the Old Trafford fixture against Watford on Feb. 11.
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