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– Marseille’s Eric Bailly has claimed he did not get a fair chance at Manchester United because the club favour English players.
– Bailly joined Marseille on loan this summer after falling out of favour at Old Trafford following his move from Villarreal in 2016.
– The Ivory Coast centre-back has made 113 appearances for United but suggested he could have more were it not for players ahead of him in the pecking order.
Also Read: OFFICIAL: Eric Bailly joins Marseille on a season long loan
– “The club should avoid favouring English players and give everyone a chance,” Bailly said in comments carried by The Times before Marseille’s opening Champions League game against Tottenham Hotspur.
Eric Bailly: "The club [#mufc] should avoid favoring English players and give everyone a chance. The club should encourage competition in the dressing room. I always had the impression that the English players were favoured." [@TimesSport]
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) September 6, 2022
– “[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.”
Eric Bailly: "That [favouring English players] 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." [@TimesSport]
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) September 6, 2022
– Bailly said he had chosen to leave for Marseille in search of playing time after the arrival of Ten Hag as manager, with the centre-back having made just four appearances in the Premier League last season.
– United signed Argentina international Lisandro Martinez from Ajax this summer while Ten Hag also has Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Phil Jones at his disposal in central defence.
– “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.
Eric Bailly: "I met Erik ten Hag at the end of last season when he went to sign his contract. I was packing my bags, because my intention was to leave, but he told me that he wanted me stay, because he was going to give everyone minutes." [@TimesSport] #mufc
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) September 6, 2022
– “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.”
Eric Bailly: "I agreed to tour with #mufc, and he kept his word, but I don't want to play once in a while. I want to play every week and feel important." [@TimesSport]
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) September 6, 2022
– But Bailly defended his time at United, pointing to how he had helped them win the Europa League and League Cup in 2017.
– “I was [Jose] Mourinho’s first signing and I also had good moments where titles were won,” Bailly said.
– “I played important games and in some I was chosen as the best player.
– “I think when I was given the opportunity I rose to the occasion. I just lacked consistency, because I think I deserved more minutes.”
Eric Bailly 🗣️ “Manchester United should avoid favouring English players and give everyone a chance. 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” https://t.co/1G0l65FEmY
— Times Sport (@TimesSport) September 6, 2022
