Jose Mourinho hints Manchester United could buy in January after Eric Bailly ruled out for up to three months

The 23-year-old Ivory Coast international will have surgery on an ankle injury having not played since the match against Chelsea on November 5

Jose Mourinho could step into the January transfer market (Getty)

Jose Mourinho has hinted he could be tempted into the January transfer market after defender Eric Bailly was ruled out for up to three months with an ankle injury.

The 23-year-old Ivory Coast international has not played since the match against Chelsea on November 5.

And the Manchester United manager confirmed the worst on Friday.

"He goes to surgery, the decision is made. I don't say (he's out) for the rest of the season but it's for the next two or three months," he told MUTV ahead of his weekly pre-match press conference.

Mourinho is usually reticent to do business in the winter window but suggested he could look to strengthen next month in the wake of Bailly's injury.

“I’m not a big defender of the January market, but there are players and situations that sometimes you have the chance to do and you shouldn’t lose that chance,” he said.

“I don’t like the January market just to buy. But if you can buy one you would buy in June for July, with the chance a few months before, then great.”