It’s just three weeks before the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Gabon, and there is news aplenty coming out of the tournament buildup.
Manchester United will be without the services of Eric Bailly for Monday’s trip to West Ham after Ivory Coast refused their request to delay his departure by a day.
The defender played all 90 minutes of the club’s 2-1 comeback win over Middlesbrough on Saturday, but will now be expected to report to the Elephants’ camp on Monday.
“Bailly is leaving – he goes to the national team,” United manager Jose Mourinho said. “He has to be with them on 2 January. We asked them for him to be on 3 January but they refused, so he cannot play against West Ham.”
If the Ivorians, one of the tournament favorites, go all the way to the Final on 5 February, Bailly could miss eight matches.
“I know that I lose Bailly for a month and I’m going to have Smalling, Rojo and Jones for, I think, eight matches. So I decided to play Eric [against Middlesbrough] and it was good to have him on the pitch because, one-on-one at the back, he’s the best.”
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