Eric Bailly could miss up to six weeks of action with Manchester United early next year.

The Ivory Coast national team have qualified for the 2017 African Cup of Nations which will take place in Gabon from January 14 to February 5.

Bailly, who has enjoyed a strong start to life as a United player, could link up with the reigning African champions a couple of weeks prior to the tournament and is then expected to have a short break after the completion.

That suggests 22-year-old Bailly may be out of action for United from the start of January until around the middle of February, provided Ivory Coast make it through to the final.

It is more likely that Bailly, who joined United from Villarreal in the summer, will be away from Old Trafford for just a month but he will definitely be absent for the vital north west derby against Liverpool on January 14.