Manchester United are facing some uncertainty regarding their centre-back situation this summer, with Erik ten Hag’s four senior players in that position experiencing highly contrasting seasons.
Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane have been the Dutchman’s first-choice pairing this campaign but both players have sustained seemingly serious injuries recently and the former has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof were the first-choice partnership for several years, mainly under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. But the pair have been demoted to the bench by Ten Hag.
As things stand, it’s highly unlikely that both Maguire and Lindelof will remain at the club past this summer but another senior centre-back is now set to return to the fold, according to reports.
According to journalist and transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Eric Bailly is set for a return to the club following the end of his season-long loan at French giants Marseille.
Understand Olympique Marseille will not trigger the buy option to sign Eric Bailly on permanent deal — he will return to Manchester United. 🚨🔴 #MUFC
Been told Bailly will be available on the market as Man United are prepared to let him go. pic.twitter.com/36a6dj7pzq
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 18, 2023
As per the report, Marseille had the option to sign Bailly permanently upon the expiry of his original season-long arrangement but the Ligue 1 powerhouse have decided not to exercise that option.
Instead, it’s said that Bailly will head back to Carrington before being listed on the market by the Reds, who are open to letting him go.
Bailly has one year remaining on his contract at United and that could mean that finding a suitor is far easier than before, with Ten Hag seemingly not keen on keeping him around after using him in pre-season last year.
Bailly’s relentless battle with injuries have, undeniably, impacted his chances of making a name for himself at Old Trafford but at the end of the day, it just wasn’t meant to be for the Ivorian.
