Bailly accuses Man Utd of picking players for ‘being English’ in Maguire swipe
Eric Bailly has sensationally claimed that Manchester United pick certain players because they are English in a thinly-veiled dig at Harry Maguire.
Bailly, who joined the Red Devils in a £34million deal from Villarreal in 2016, has fallen way down the pecking order at Old Trafford after making just four Premier League appearances last term.
With his prospects limited under Erik ten Hag this season, the Ivory Coast international opted to join Marseille on loan in the summer, where he has so far made two appearances. In quotes carried by The Times, Bailly accused his parent club of favouring English players but hopes that Ten Hag's arrival will change things for the better.
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He said: "The club should avoid favouring English players and give everyone a chance. [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."
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Bailly's words have been interpreted by some as a thinly-veiled attack on club captain Maguire, who continued to be picked by the Red Devils even when they are struggling. Maguire has now been dropped by Ten Hag, with Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane seemingly his favoured combination.
Bailly also revealed that he had spoken to Ten Hag at the end of last season, and decided to leave on loan despite the former Ajax manager promising him more minutes.
"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," he concluded.
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