Manchester United defender Eric Bailly has potentially confirmed his club’s move for 22-year-old centre back Victor Lindelof while on international duty for Ivory Coast.

Bailly appeared to confirm a move for the Benfica star during an interview with Fotbollskanalen after the Ivory Coast’s 2-1 win against Sweden in a friendly ahead of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

‘I hope to play with him. Hopefully he will help us,’ Bailly told Fotbollskanalen.

‘He is a very good player. He has great qualities and will certainly do well if he comes to us.’

Bailly’s departure for national team duty coupled with an injury niggle to Argentina defender Marcos Rojo has left manager Jose Mourinho with just two recognised centre backs for January, a situation which might force Mourinho to move for Lindelof in January.

The Benfica defender was at the centre of sell-on fee clause between his current and former club but reports suggest that issue has since been resolved allowing United to move for the Swede. Bailly insists he will have no problem competing with Lindelof (should he arrive) and current squad members for a place in the starting lineup when he returns from Gabon.

‘We have many good central defenders – Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones – but I hope I get to play with Lindelof.

‘I don’t have a guaranteed place and I know I have to be good to play. We’re all fighting to play. I think we have done well. We have done our best.

‘The day we get to play, if it comes, we must take advantage of that opportunity. I think we would fit well together.’