Eric Bailly 'must prove fitness before earning new contract'

Manchester United are reportedly keen for Eric Bailly to prove his fitness before handing the central defender a new contract at Old Trafford.

The 26-year-old has only made 14 appearances for the Red Devils during the 2020-21 campaign and has struggled to be available for selection on a week-to-week basis.

Bailly played the full 90 minutes against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night but has only featured on eight occasions in the Premier League this term.

A recent report claimed that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are in contact talks with the Ivory Coast international as his current agreement is due to expire in the middle of 2022.

However, according to ESPN, the 20-time English champions want Bailly to prove that his injury problems are behind him before handing him a fresh deal.

Solskjaer is said to be keen to bring a left-footed centre-back to the club this summer, but it remains to be seen how much the Norwegian has to spend on new players in the upcoming market due to the financial impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

Bailly has made 99 appearances for Man United since arriving from Villarreal in July 2016.