Eric Bailly returns to Manchester United training ahead of Brighton fixture

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly returned to training on Monday following an injury.

Bailly's rotten luck struck once again last month as he returned to United after representing Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations with yet another ailment, this time suffering an ankle injury.

Ralf Rangnick said on the centre-back on February 3: "Eric came back yesterday. He has some problems, a swollen ankle, and will therefore not be a part of the squad tomorrow."

As a result, Bailly missed the FA Cup elimination at the hands of Championship side Middlesbrough as well as successive Premier League stalemates with Burnley and Southampton.

Thankfully, the injury hasn't proved to be too serious as the 27-year-old was back out on the pitch at Carrington on Monday and was in good spirits as he was photographed laughing with Bruno Fernandes.

Rangnick didn't discuss Bailly's fitness in his pre-match press conference ahead of facing Brighton on Tuesday so, even though he was spotted training with teammates during the session, it remains unclear if he has recovered enough to be involved in the game but he is at least taken a positive step on his road to recovery.

The interim manager did confirm he would be bolstered by one player returning, though, with Fred available again following a bout of Coronavirus.

However, Edison Cavani and Nemanja Matic remain sidelined.

"Yes, Fred will be available again and will also be part of the group for tomorrow," Rangnick said. "Edinson is still out, the same with Nema.

"Alex [Telles] is back again in the squad - he was already part of the group for the Southampton game - and he will also be available."

United can move back to fourth place if they defeat the Seagulls at Old Trafford after West Ham