Eric Bailly is facing a race against time to recover full fitness in time for Manchester United’s trip to Sevilla in the Champions League on February 21, according to reports.

The defender has been absent from the squad since the November international break and underwent ankle surgery in December after conservative treatment failed to solve his problem.

Reports last month suggested that Bailly was ahead of schedule and in contention to recover in time for the last 16 clash at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan.

But according to ESPN‘s Mark Ogden, the meeting with Sevilla could come a week too soon for the defender, who continues to work on his fitness at Carrington away from the first team squad.

Jose Mourinho confirmed last week that Bailly, unlike Zlatan Ibrahimovic, hadn’t returned to training with the first team squad just yet, and with the clash coming in just a week’s time you would be surprised to see the Ivorian in the starting XI.

That said, his return is edging closer and supporters will be extremely glad to see him take the place of Chris Smalling, who bore the brunt of criticism from supporters following the 1-0 defeat to Newcastle following a truly reckless defensive display.