Aheed Abrar
Jose Mourinho wants Manchester United defender Eric Bailly at AS Roman before end of transfer window
Eric Bailly is on the wishlist of former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese wants the Ivorian at AS Roma this summer before the end of the transfer window, according to La Repubblica via Inside Futbol (h/t Manchester Evening News).
It seems Mourinho has identified Bailly as his priority target to bolster the Serie A outfit’s backline. The 28-year-old has an uncertain future at the club with the arrival of Erik ten Hag.
It was the former United manager who was in the dugout when Bailly made his way through the doors at Old Trafford from Villarreal in 2016. Roma have been one of the sides the Ivory Coast international has been linked with. Fulham have also been credited with an interest in the centre-back.
The Manchester-based club have bolstered the defence this summer with the additions of Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez. Especially with the arrival of the Argentine, it looks like Bailly will find it difficult to get into Ten Hag’s XI this campaign.
Competition for places
Harry Kane, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof are the other options at the new gaffer’s disposal. The three shared a considerable amount of minutes amongst themselves last season. The Ivory Coast international barely got to play any minutes.
Bailly has been decent for United when he’s been fit enough to feature for the team. The 28-year-old seemed to have the minerals to succeed with the Red Devils. However, injuries have hampered the player’s career in Manchester.
Fans are of the opinion that United have enough cover in the centre-back area. While our defensive record wasn’t the best in the previous campaign, hopefully, Ten Hag can make the backline more organised and robust.
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Now with Martinez, it appears getting any minutes will be a luxury for Bailly at United. So a move away feels like the best option for both the club and player.
