Eric Bailly has lifted the lid on his struggle with overcoming injury for Manchester United this season.
The Ivorian defender impressed during the club's pre-season tour of Asia but suffered a serious knee injury while playing against Tottenham in Shanghai.
Bailly's injury left him sidelined until January of this year before he eventually made his return in United's superb 2-0 away win at Chelsea in the Premier League.
Since returning Bailly has made a positive impact on the United first-team squad and is once again challenging Victor Lindelof for a starting role in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.
The 25-year-old will be hoping to put his previous injury woes behind him but admits he found it tough after seeing his progressed halted last summer
"Really good," Bailly told ESPN FC when asked about his recovery.
"I can't say I feel 100% but I feel good. I've been training a lot, I've been preparing a lot and I'm just taking advantage of every opportunity and I'm here to help the team.
"It was such a difficult time. I was basically injured for almost a year and that's the worst thing that can happen to a footballer or any athlete. But anyway, as I always say, when something bad happens you have to hope for something good to come your way and during that time, when I was recuperating, I had people that helped me with the physical aspect and my family too I had to be strong, especially mentally strong and I've done it and now all that bad stuff is behind me. Thank goodness for that.
"The most difficult part was the moment that you get that injury, and when I say injuries I mean that there are different levels of an injury. There are injuries that can keep you out for one week, others that keep you out for less and others that will keep you out for a lot more. And in my case, it was almost five months, and to hear that, honestly it was very difficult.
"But like I said, mentally, I had to be strong. I knew what I had to do to recover well and I listened to the advice from everyone that was helping me and here I am, and I'm doing well.
"If you've not been playing for a long time in a league as strong as this one, the truth is that it's hard. Imagine with an injury as long as mine too. But the truth is, I've been lucky with my teammates to have their help and support and I had a phenomenal return.
"It was a difficult match against Chelsea, my first match back, and thank God that we won and well, I'm very happy."
