Manchester United are likely to resist any approaches this month over Eric Bailly, for whom Sevilla have emerged as the latest suitors.

The Spanish club are interested in taking the Ivory Coast centre-half on loan for the remainder of the season but United are thought to be reluctant to let him leave.

Bailly is serving a three-match suspension after his sending-off for a two-footed lunge on Ryan Fraser in the 4-1 win over Bournemouth last Sunday, his third red card in 67 matches for the club.

With Chris Smalling sidelined by a foot injury and Marcos Rojo also out, Victor Lindelof and the injury-prone Phil Jones are United’s only two available centre-halves.

United ultimately want to sign a top-quality centre-half and someone is likely to make way when that happens, but there is little expectation of being able to acquire one this month and they have no intention of being left short in that department.