Manchester United defender Eric Bailly will return from international duty early after Ivory Coast were eliminated from the African Nations Cup.
Bailly, 22, has not played for United since facing Middlesbrough on Dec. 31 due to his selection for the tournament -- where he played in a goalless draw with Togo, a 2-2 draw with DR Congo and 1-0 defeat against Morocco. Those results meant that Ivory Coast were surprisingly knocked out of the competition in the group stage.
United's central defence featured Phil Jones and Chris Smalling in the 1-1 draw away against Stoke City on Saturday and they looked an unconvincing pairing, with Marcos Rojo ruled out of that game reportedly due to illness.
Jose Mourinho's men are facing a busy schedule over the coming week with an EFL Cup semifinal second leg against Hull City on Thursday followed by an FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic on Sunday -- then a Premier League game against Hull the following Wednesday.
Since joining from Villarreal on a four-year contract in June, Bailly has made 17 appearances.