Manchester United face a nervous wait over the knee injury that Eric Bailly suffered against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, with the centre-back limping off before the hour mark on his first Premier League start for nearly two months.

Bailly suffered a knee ligament injury in the defeat by Chelsea on 23 October, but dismissed fears that he would miss up to three months by returning well ahead of schedule to start the Europa League victory over Zorya Ludansk last week.

That prompted Jose Mourinho to restore the Ivory Coast international to his starting line-up for Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over Palace, but he went to ground during the first half in clear discomfort, and a second trip to the turf shortly after the break ended his day as he was replaced in the 52nd minute.

Mourinho confirmed after the match that the injury was a new one, and that it was his other knee causing the issue – not the right knee he injured back in October.

“We don't know [yet]. It is not the same knee, it is the other one,” Mourinho told BT Sport. “It is the left knee. So he is not coming back to a previous injury.

“Of course he has a problem with another dimension but he showed amazing character to try and try, and try until his limit.”

Mourinho added on MUTV: “He could resist for so long. I would say for about 75 minutes he could resist. He is a special guy and his pain level is really high.”

The loss of Bailly for a second time this season would be a blow to Mourinho’s plans, although in his place both Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo have shown good form that included a clean sheet against Tottenham last weekend.

Manchester United transfer targets Show all 6 1 /6 Manchester United transfer targets Manchester United transfer targets Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid) The 21-year-old Uruguayan has already played 21 times for his country and has been touted as a future world-class centre-back. Currently on the books of Atletico Madrid, Gimenez is not a regular and a move in January for first-team football would surely appeal to him. Getty Manchester United transfer targets Victor Lindelof (Benfica) The most recent player to be linked with the Red Devils, Lindelof is a 22-year-old centre-back currently plying his trade at Benfica. The Swedish international has been in fine form this season and could be tempted by a move to England in January. Getty Manchester United transfer targets Mesut Özil (Arsenal) The German midfielder has emerged as a shock transfer target for the Red Devils as the Arsenal playmaker demands a substantial increase to his current £140,000 per week contract in North London. Getty Manchester United transfer targets Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) The French forward had a brilliant season in Spain last year and was top scorer and Player of the Tournament as he helped his country to the final of Euro 2016. Atletico Madrid would certainly not let him go on the cheap however. Getty Manchester United transfer targets Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid) The third Atletico Madrid player reported to be on Mourinho’s wish-list, Carrasco is one of Belgium’s new generation of talent and, at just 23 years of age, has a long career ahead of him. The Belgian is an attacking midfielder who has added a ruthlessness in front of goal to his repertoire this season, contributing nine goals in all competitions. Getty Manchester United transfer targets Bruma (Galatasaray) Galatasaray’s fleet-footed winger is rated at around £21.5m and has impressed in the Turkish league this season, receiving five Man of the Match awards in just ten starts so far. Bruma is a fantastic dribbler who would certainly provide competition for places on the left wing. Getty

Bailly partnered Daley Blind at centre-back on Wednesday with Jones shifted out to right-back as Antonio Valencia was suspended for the trip to Selhurst Park, but if the injury rules Bailly out for any length of time, the England defender is likely to revert back to a central role with Valencia returning to the flank.

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