Bailly in contract talks with Man Utd over a new deal, says Solskjaer
Eric Bailly in line for new Manchester United deal as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reveals centre back is in contract talks – with boss ‘very happy’ with defender
- Eric Bailly has just 15 months left on his current contract at Manchester United
- The centre back has been beset by injuries since joining from Villarreal in 2016
- Thursday’s draw against AC Milan was only his 100th appearance for the club
Manchester United are in talks with Eric Bailly over a new contract, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed.
Bailly, a £30million signing from Villarreal in 2016, has 15 months remaining on his existing deal at Old Trafford.
The Ivorian made only his 100th appearance for United in the Europa League draw with AC Milan on Thursday, and Solskjaer blames Bailly’s combative style for the number of injuries he picks up.
Eric Bailly (centre) is in talks with Man United over a new deal, says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Solskjaer says he has been ‘very happy’ with the defender who has 15 months left on his deal
‘We have started talking to Eric and his representatives so Eric is keeping fitter for longer and you can see his performances as well,’ said the United boss.
‘I’ve been very happy with him. His playing style has made him lose too many games because a hundred games, that’s not enough for the period that he has been here. He is getting more and more robust.’
Bailly has grown frustrated over his first-team opportunities, with Solskjaer tending to prefer Victor Lindelof as a central defensive partner for Harry Maguire in the bigger games, and the Swede is expected to return for Sunday’s visit of West Ham to Old Trafford.
Jesse Lingard will be unavailable for the Hammers due to the terms of his loan move from United, but Solskjaer has been impressed at the impact he has made on David Moyes’s side.
Bailly has been plagued by injuries and only played his 100th game for the club on Thursday
He added: ‘For Jesse it’s really worked out, for David it’s really worked out, and for us as a club as well.
‘We know that Jesse’s position is a No 10 and we have got Bruno [Fernandes] there, so for me it was a no-brainer to get Jesse a chance to prove himself and play some football again. He has been really bright for them and he is finally back to himself.’
On Moyes’s achievement in guiding West Ham to fifth place, Solskjaer said: ‘They have been brilliant. We played them in the FA Cup not so long ago as well and went to extra-time. It was a tight even game.
‘He has got players who score goals, they are creative, they defend really well, they are really difficult at set-plays.
‘David has done a tremendous job that we know he is capable of and I am very happy for him. We know it is a big game for us. It’s maybe too far ahead to Manchester City so we need to consolidate our place in the top two or three hopefully.’
Solskjaer is happy for Jesse Lingard who is excelling at West Ham on loan from the Red Devils
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