Solskjaer confirms Man Utd defender Eric Bailly will be out for ‘four of five months’ after surgery on knee injury

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has confirmed the club's worst fear that defender Eric Bailly has been ruled out for "four or five months."

The injury-prone centre-back was stretchered off during the pre-season victory over Tottenham last Thursday.

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Bailly was taken for surgery on his left knee - just months after he endured a similar injury to his right one last season.

It kept him out of action for a similar amount of time and the 25-year-old will be back on the treatment table until at least Christmas.

Speaking after United's 1-0 friendly win over Kristiansund, Solskjaer said: "Eric has had an operation and will be out for four to five months.

"Hopefully we'll have him back around Christmas time."

United were initially hopeful that Bailly's injury wasn't as serious as first thought and he would face around six weeks out.

But the latest devastating blow will mean they are likely to pursuit a move for long-term transfer target Harry Maguire.

The Leicester defender is itching for a move to Old Trafford but the two clubs have yet to agree a fee.

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United, having had a £70million offer turned down, are now attempting to seal a world-record fee for a defender — topping Liverpool’s £75m for Virgil van Dijk.

SunSport exclusively revealed how Maguire is losing patience with the Leicester board.

Maguire had a gentleman’s agreement with the club last year, after signing a new deal, they would not stand in his way with a fair offer this summer with United having also tried to sign him in 2018.

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