New manager Erik ten Hag will take over the squad in July and he is expected to look for a new centre-back. It remains to be seen if he can help Harry Maguire to rediscover his best form, but one defender who looks certain to leave in the summer is Eric Bailly.
The Ivorian has not been able to get a look in under this season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Ralf Rangnick, with neither manager showing that they rate the former Villarreal defender, who was signed by Jose Mourinho before United won the Europa League.
Bailly is under contract until 2024, including an option to extend that by a further 12-months, but club sources have started admitting that it was a ‘mistake’ to give the defender a new contract last year.
While there are reports that Bailly has already told his team-mates that he will move on after a number of disappointing seasons, we don’t blame the defender because he has started just five games since the campaign kicked off.
United insider Jonathan Shrager claims that four clubs are interested in signing Bailly this summer. He reports that Lyon, Marseille, Newcastle and Roma have all made contacts recently to register their interest in the United defender.
I am told that Lyon, Marseille, Newcastle and Roma have all made contacts recently to register their interest in Manchester United’s Eric Bailly
— Jonas Hen Shrag (@JonathanShrager) May 5, 2022
United won’t miss Bailly
He arrived from Villarreal with plenty of promise and fans liked what he offered in his first few months at the club. Over time we learned that he was incredible rash but, with better defensive attributes than Marcos Rojo, it was clear that Mourinho had at least found an upgrade of some sorts.
United still need a centre-back and we’ve been saying that for years.
Bailly staying around for another season would be a waste of time for everyone involved. Ten Hag will be tasked with an unhappy player, one we all know isn’t good enough for United, so it’s time to move on.
