Manchester United

Eric Bailly aims dig at Harry Maguire over Manchester United playing time?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 06 September 2022

Eric Bailly aims dig at Harry Maguire over Man United playing time?

Manchester United centre-back Eric Bailly - currently on loan at Marseille - seemingly aims a dig at Harry Maguire over a perceived English bias at Old Trafford.

Manchester United centre-back Eric Bailly has appeared to aim a dig at Harry Maguire over their respective playing opportunities at Old Trafford.

The Ivory Coast international struggled to win over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick last term and has since joined Marseille on loan for the 2022-23 season.

Bailly found himself behind Maguire, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof in the pecking order at Old Trafford last term, despite all three players coming under fire during a difficult season.

Maguire in particular was the subject of constant criticism, but the England international retained possession of the armband and was a consistent starter for the Red Devils in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Bailly made a mere seven appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions last season, including four Premier League outings - three of which came from the first whistle.

Harry Maguire in action for Manchester United on August 13, 2022 © Reuters

In contrast, Maguire made the starting lineup on 28 occasions in the Premier League, and Bailly believes that an English bias was in play during his counterpart's run in the team.

"The club should avoid favouring English players and give everyone a chance," talkSPORT quotes Bailly as saying. "[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."

Bailly has since started one Ligue 1 game for Marseille since arriving at the Orange Velodrome, but he was an unused substitute in the weekend's 2-0 success over newly-promoted Auxerre.

The 28-year-old also revealed that Erik ten Hag promised him opportunities was keen to keep him on the books, but he departed in order to enjoy regular action in the first XI at Marseille.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag on August 13, 2022 © Reuters

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

"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."

Bailly - whose contract at Old Trafford runs until the summer of 2024 - will become a Marseille player permanently for a €6m (£5.2m) fee if Les Olympiens qualify for the Champions League and he plays a certain percentage of games.

The ex-Villarreal man could therefore leave United having amassed one goal and two assists in 113 appearances for the club since arriving for a £34.2m fee in the summer of 2016, and he will return to England with Marseille to face Tottenham Hotspur in Wednesday's Champions League match.

Meanwhile, Maguire has lost his place in the Man United starting XI to Lisandro Martinez and has not started any of his side's four consecutive wins in the Premier League this term.