Manchester United are reportedly set to trigger the contract extension of Eric Bailly.
The Ivorian defender is currently recovering from a serious knee injury sustained against Tottenham in pre-season.
Bailly has played just 50 times for the Reds in an injury-plagued Old Trafford career, but The Sun report that the club are set to extend his current deal to avoid a scenario where he leaves on a free.
The report claims that his £80,000 per-week contract, which runs out next summer, will be extended by a further year.
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There were high hopes for Bailly when signed by Jose Mourinho from Villarreal in 2016. It’s such a shame that injuries have prevented him reaching his potential.
The 25-year-old will still feel he has a point to prove at Old Trafford, but the question has to be asked whether it is in the best interests of the club to extend the contract of a player who struggles to stay fit.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has five centre-backs in his ranks that will be ahead of the Ivorian he eventually returns from his long-term layoff. It will be difficult for Bailly to find a way back into first-team contention after such a long period out, but there is little doubt that he has the talent to do so.
When fully fit, Bailly is arguably better than Harry Maguire’s current defensive partner Victor Lindelof, and it looks as if United are set to retain their faith in him for at least another season.
