It did not take too long at all for Eric Bailly to endear himself to his new supporters.
Manchester United’s newest defender quickly earned comparisons to Old Trafford legend Nemanja Vidic for his colossal performances at the back.
And while that may be a case of jumping the gun, Bailly has certainly taken to the Premier League like a robust, fearless duck to water.
He’s cemented his place in Jose Mourinho’s back four alongside Daley Blind and he’s expected to remain a first team regular throughout the season.
But Mourinho would have known that he was always likely to be without the 22-year-old defender for a spell during the winter as the Ivory Coast were expected to qualify for the African Cup of Nations.
And, on Saturday, they did just that.
Bailly featured for his national side during their 1-1 draw with Sierra Leone this weekend, a result which was enough to send them through to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations as they look to defend their title.
The tournament runs from January 14, 2017 until February 5, 2017 but Bailly is expected to join his national teammates a number of days before the competition kicks off.
That means he will be away from his club for two games at the very least, including one of the biggest matches of the year. He will be away when United host Liverpool on January 14, as well as missing the trip to Stoke the following week.
Depending on how United fare in the EFL Cup, Bailly could also be out of contention for the semi-finals of that competition, while he would miss Hull at home (January 31) and Leicester away (February 4) if the reigning AFCON champions have another deep run in the tournament.
Mourinho will have done his homework and have been well aware that the centre-half he signed from Villarreal could be out of action for a month.
But it definitely sent alarm bells ringing around a few United supporters who have grown rather fond of their new man.
fuck. Ivory Coast qualified for the African tournament. so United wont have Bailly during the winter. AHHHHHH
— Jon B (@DrunkVoltron) September 3, 2016
https://twitter.com/ffsRooney/status/772344449775046656
Fuck Bailly is missing for the start of 2017
— 💟Alex (@UtdContext) September 4, 2016
Shit I just remembered Bailly has to leave us in January for The African Cup of Nations
— riece (@_RiecesPieces) September 3, 2016
The reason I hate it when my club signs African players is this damned nations cup.. I'll miss bailly too much when he leaves for that Shit
— Emnl Cbhm (@IceMan_Cobie) September 3, 2016
United gonna be without bailly in January and some of February, very worrying. Back to De Gea carrying us.
— dan sah (@dansah_) September 4, 2016
Bailly is going to miss 5 games for the African Cup of Nations ffs, we desperately need to bring another CB in January.
— Alex Turk (@AlexCTurk) September 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/ScotiePlays/status/772168032785399808
Bailly out for 5 weeks ffs
— Mo Ruddy (@50SavesOfDeGea) September 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/DanIsARed/status/772182902255841284
we're going to miss Bailly so much in january/february.
— 🌿 (@GeubbeIs) September 3, 2016
So Bailly will be in the African cup of nations in January will be a massive loss. #MUFC
— George (@GeorgexBakerx) September 3, 2016
https://twitter.com/DanIsARed/status/772182902255841284
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