Bailly accuses Man Utd of ‘favouring English players’

Eric Bailly has launched a sensational attack on Manchester United, accusing the club of ‘favouring English players’ rather than choosing teams on merit..

The 28-year-old made just four Premier League appearances for the Red Devils last season after falling down the pecking order under both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.

The Ivory Coast international therefore chose to move to Ligue 1 in the summer by joining Marseille on loan, six years on from his transfer to Old Trafford.


Bailly is now preparing to face Tottenham in their opening Champions League game of the season, but has seemingly hit out at Harry Maguire, who played regularly despite struggling while he failed to get a look in.

The former Villarreal centre-back however is hopeful what he perceives as favouritism based on nationality will end with Erik ten Hag now in charge at Old Trafford.

‘The club should avoid favouring English players and give everyone a chance,’ Bailly said in quotes carried by The Times.

‘[The club should] encourage competition in the dressing room, not just look out for some. I’ve always had the feeling that the national player was prioritised.

‘That doesn’t happen at Chelsea or other big Premier League clubs. Some people take it for granted that they are going to start, and that weakens the team.

‘Luckily [Erik] Ten Hag has a lot of character and I hope he can change that dynamic.’

The Dutch manager chose to strengthen his central defence in the summer by signing Lisandro Martinez in a £50m deal.

And Bailly has revealed he held talks with ten Hag at the end of the 2021-22 campaign, and decided to leave despite the 52-year-old’s desire to keep him because he wanted more regular playing time.

‘I met Erik Ten Hag in the dressing room at the end of last season when he went to sign his contract,’ Bailly added.

‘I was packing my things because my intention was to leave, but he told me he wanted me to stay because he was going to give minutes to everyone.

‘I agreed to do the summer tour with United, and he kept his word, but I don’t want to play every now and then. I want to do it every week and feel important. I want to get my confidence back.’

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