Solskjaer confirms Manchester United player tested positive for Covid-19

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that Eric Bailly will be out ‘for a little while’ after testing positive for coronavirus during the international break.

Bailly, 26, missed United’s Premier League victory over Brighton on Easter Sunday after playing for the Ivory Coast in African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Niger and Ethiopia.

The defender has made just 14 starts for United this season but his absence leaves Solskjaer short in centre back cover ahead of a defining period of the season.

“With Eric, unfortunately he won’t be with us for a little while,” Solskjaer said, as quoted by the MEN. 

“He’s been away with the Ivory Coast and tested positive for COVID, so unfortunately he’s not back in the country yet.”

Bailly is likely to be unavailable for the Europa League quarter-final first-leg against Granada on Thursday and the league fixture against Tottenham on Sunday.

It’s another frustrating setback for the Ivorian who has not been able to put a consistent run of games together since becoming Jose Mourinho’s first United signing five years ago.

Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have both stepped up in recent weeks and Solskjaer also has Axel Tuanzebe, who can provide more than adequate cover for his preferred central defensive pairing.

READ MORE: Video: Solskjaer heaps praise on Manchester United star after Brighton win

More Stories brighton Eric Bailly Man Utd OIe Gunnar Solskjaer