‘Bailly’s red card is a big blow,’ says Manchester United boss Mourinho

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is lamenting the loss of Eric Bailly for this month’s Europa League final after the defender’s red card against Celta Vigo.

The combative 23-year-old centre-back has impressed at United since his big-money summer move from Villarreal, but the Ivory Coast international lost his cool in Thursday night’s semi-final second leg and was sent off by referee Ovidiu Hațegan.

Bailly and Celta goalscorer Facundo Roncaglia were both red-carded for raising their arms during a heated clash late in the game, meaning that the United man will be suspended for the final against Ajax at the Friends Arena in Stockholm on Wednesday, May 24.

Mourinho, who believed Bailly was shown ‘the wrong card’, is none too pleased at the prospect of having to do without the defender when United aim to lift the only major trophy they have never won.

“I didn’t see the incident but he was phenomenal. The game was emotional until the end for everyone,” said the United boss.

(Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

“Some kept their control in a better way than others – and I think it was the wrong card.

“The wrong card is not new in this kind of situation and probably, Eric was a bit naive.

“I don’t know [the details of] the incident but we have lost a very important player for the final and we don’t have many.”

Mourinho added: “The boys didn’t play a phenomenal match but they fought. They gave everything they had to give and I’m really pleased for them because 14 matches and we are in the final; so it’s good.”