Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho remains unsure of the severity of Eric Bailly's latest knee injury suffered in Wednesday night's win over Crystal Palace, although it is not a recurrence of the same problem from which the player has only just returned.
Bailly spent two months sidelined earlier this season after damaging knee ligaments against Chelsea in October. He was forced off shortly after half-time at Selhurst Park on his first Premier League start since regaining fitness, but the new problem is in his other knee.
Whether that is a good or a bad sign remains to be seen.
"The only thing I can say is that it is not the same knee," Mourinho explained to MUTV.
"He had an injury in the right knee and he recovered fantastically well. Now it is the left knee. I don't know really what he has, but let us see and wait. He could resist for so long. I would say for about 75 minutes he could resist. He is a special guy and his pain level is really high."
The Ivorian, who is expected to go to the African Cup of Nations with his country in the New Year, was actually being utilised at right-back in south London as Mourinho looked to avoid breaking up the developing central partnership between Phil Jones and Marco Rojo.
Great team spirit!!! 3 more points! ⚽� @ManUtd #mufc pic.twitter.com/fSVWWfnDaU
The United boss was particularly keen to praise Rojo after the game, with the Argentine international lucky to stay on the pitch after referee Craig Pawson deemed only a yellow card suitable punishment for a reckless two-footed challenge.
"He is an aggressive, clean player, probably playing the best football of his career," Mourinho said after refusing to discuss the tackle on Palace winger Wilfried Zaha itself.
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