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Eric Bailly backs calls for him to start ahead of Harry Maguire

Eric Bailly backs calls for him to start ahead of Maguire
© Reuters
Manchester United centre-back Eric Bailly backs calls for him to start over Harry Maguire ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Arsenal.

Manchester United centre-back Eric Bailly has responded to calls for Ralf Rangnick to start him ahead of Harry Maguire.

Red Devils captain Maguire will don the armband for the remainder of the season but has come under immense criticism for several shaky showings in the Premier League this term.

Rangnick has kept faith with the England international throughout the campaign, restricting Bailly to a mere four appearances in the Premier League - three of them from the first whistle.

An Instagram post of Man United in training ahead of the Arsenal game prompted a comment from one user to start Raphael Varane and Bailly in defence ahead of Maguire and Victor Lindelof.

Bailly responded to the user's comment an hour later with the comment "Please!" accompanied by a crying laughing emoji and hands in the prayer position ahead of Saturday's Premier League contest with top-four rivals Arsenal.

Varane has returned to training at Carrington after overcoming a knock and could force his way into the first XI at the Emirates, with Man United three points adrift of the Gunners having played a game more.

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Written by
Ben Knapton

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