Manchester United were back in action last night after they beat Championship side Luton Town 3-0 in the Carabao Cup’s Third Round with fans identifying centre-back Eric Bailly as a player who must start in the Reds’ next Premier League match.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made 10 changes to the Reds’ starting line-up which saw captain Harry Maguire line-up next to Eric Bailly after usual partner Victor Lindelof lost his place.
United were keen to get back to winning ways last night after suffering a crushing 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in their first Premier League game of the season last weekend.
United’s shocking performance last weekend with Lindelof arguably being the worst of the bunch saw flamboyant centre-back Bailly get his first start since last season’s Europa League quarter-final against FC Copenhagen.
The pacey yet unpredictable defender had a thoroughly good game and barely put a foot wrong last night. There were moments when centre-back partner Maguire required defensive help in the form of recovery tackles which Bailly exercised seamlessly.
In light of the Ivorian’s display last night many fans are calling for him to get his second start of the week when the Reds travel to the south coast to play Brighton and Hove Albion in their second Premier League match of the season.
Bailly’s got to start against Brighton man
— Tom (@utdcynical) September 22, 2020
I would go with this against Brighton
de Gea
AWB Bailly Maguire Shaw
Donny Matic Pogba
Bruno Martial Greenwood— fergietime™️ (@SSIIIIUUUUU) September 21, 2020
Bailly definitely has to start on Saturday against Brighton for me anyone else?
— Brandon (@Brandon_21__) September 22, 2020
Bailly made one tackle at the end of that game that Maguire & Lindelof could only dream of. Ole, do the right thing for Brighton.
— Kam #8🏁 (@Culturecams) September 22, 2020
Luton or not, I see no reason why Henderson and Bailly shouldn’t be starting against Brighton.
De Gea’s already had months of being stood by and Bailly is easily our best defender.
— Jordan Clarke (@FourFourJordan) September 22, 2020
We can all agree on Bailly and Maguire for Brighton? Would even say Henderson to start too but that’s a much tougher call. If no Pogba would love to see either Matic or Fred with van de Beek and Fernandes. Greenwood, Martial and Rashford front three.
— Annemarie📚⚽️ (@Anna__Dray) September 22, 2020
Swear we better start bailly and maguire against Brighton. Good game today the last to goals were great hopefully give that confidence now to kick on, Brighton must win coz after that we got spurs💯
— Jawad (@JAY9B8) September 22, 2020
De Gea and Lindelof should dropped for Henderson and Bailly against Brighton but Ole trusts them so much so he’ll start them.
— Nana😹🔰 (@qwofyelement) September 20, 2020
Please put Bailly in a freezer. We need him fresh for Brighton.
— ➕T∆SHION (@KayTashion) September 22, 2020
Henderson, Bailly and Williams all gotta start against Brighton
— Tom (@SanAndreasSzn) September 22, 2020
Not making any outrageous claims but Bailly is the best CB I can think of right now.
Worth pointing out that he compliments Maguire the most and last season was a clear example.
Hopefully, he gets the nod against Brighton this weekend & more importantly stays injury-free. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/OVMEARtqeM
— Alex (@GeniusMUFC) September 23, 2020
Read more: Man United braced for latest bid for English centre-back
Bailey has been a wonderful CB but injuries never allowed him have more playing time; Ole should stop making selection blunders
when it comes to Bailey and always play him ahead of Lindelof when he’s fit. Always quick to recover for slow Maguire which is what Lindelof can’t do perfectly.