Eric Bailly answered an emergency call to delay his trip to join up with the Ivory Coast squad so he could feature for Manchester United’s team against Burnley.
United needed him to start with a preference not to start Raphael Varane twice in four days after his injury, and Victor Lindelof isolating with Covid. The other option would have been Phil Jones to partner Harry Maguire.
Bailly stepped in and it was typical bad luck that he sustained an injury which forced him off in the 68th minute with Varane coming on to close out the game.
Bailly is fine
It would have been cruel luck if Bailly sustained an injury ruling him out of the African Cup of Nations having originally been due to miss the Burnley game.
Fortunately it seems there is no threat of Bailly missing time, after he gave a positive fitness update after the game.
In a video posted on United’s Instagram feed, Bailly said he was fine and ‘just tired’, while on his own post, he made no reference to any injury and simply celebrated the win.
A win despite defensive shakiness
Even before his injury, Eric Bailly did not have the best of nights, giving the ball away in the move leading up to Burnley’s goal.
Bailly’s error was exacerbated by Harry Maguire standing off Aaron Lennon and effectively encouraging him to shoot and score.
This was a chance for Bailly to step up, starting just his second Premier League game of the season and his first since his own goal in the derby.
This time Bailly lasted a little longer, surviving being hooked at half-time, but did not see out the 90 minutes after his injury.
The Ivorian will now miss a month due to the AFCON and will likely return to a role as fourth choice and have to wait for his opportunity all over again.
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