Manchester United have confirmed Eric Bailly has been ruled out for the rest of the season with medial ligament damage in his right knee.
Bailly sustained the injury against Chelsea in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Ivory Coast international will miss remaining Premier League matches against Huddersfield and Cardiff , and will be unable to play at the Africa Cup of Nations for his country.
Bailly had hoped to represent the Ivory Coast in Egypt - the biggest edition of the competition yet with 24 sides taking part between June 21 and July 19.
His country will play group games against South Africa, Morocco and Namibia - but Bailly will be forced to watch on from the sidelines.
The 25-year-old is in his third season at Old Trafford having moved for £30million on a four-year deal in the summer of 2016.
He played 38 times in his first campaign in the north west but has managed just 36 appearances in the last two seasons combined.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said after the Chelsea game: “He will need a scan tomorrow [Monday] but I don't think it is the worst knee injury you can have.
“He will be out for the rest of the season, I don't think we will see him again before next season.
”But he is a warrior, he played well today, he was calm, he was composed and it was just unfortunate that he had to come off.“
