Bailly ruled out of AFCON

Eric Bailly of Ivory Coast clears ball from Dieudonne Bezua Mbokani of DR Congo during the 2017 African Cup of Nations Finals Afcon football match between Ivory Coast and DR Congo at the Oyem Stadium in Gabon on 20 January 2017 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Apr 30, 2019. 15:00

Eric Bertrand Bailly has been ruled of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, Manchester United have confirmed.

The Ivory Coast international sustained medial ligament damage in the club's 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday, duly ruling out for the remainder of the English Premier League season and upcoming AFCON showpiece.

"We can confirm that Manchester United defender Eric Bailly suffered a medial ligament injury on his right knee during Sunday's Premier League match against Chelsea at Old Trafford," United announced in a club statement.

"The problem means that the Ivory Coast international will not play for the Reds again this season, missing the remaining top-flight matches against Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City.

"Furthermore, Bailly is also now unable to play in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament."

The Elephants have been drawn in a group alongside Morocco, South African and Namibia.