Transfer Centre

Jose Mourinho rules out Old Trafford exit for Eric Bailly

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 29 July 2018

Jose Mourinho talks up the team qualities that Eric Bailly provides Manchester United, describing the Ivorian centre-back as "an honest man".

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has stressed that "honest man" Eric Bailly remains a part of his plans for the new season.

The Ivory Coast international looked most at risk of being phased out by the Red Devils this summer after starting just two games in the final two months of last season.

Despite ongoing talk of a move for central defenders Harry Maguire or Toby Alderweireld being on the cards, however, Mourinho is impressed by Bailly's attitude and intends to stand by the 24-year-old.

Speaking after United's 4-1 friendly defeat to Liverpool, in which Bailly was a late addition to the side, Mourinho told reporters: "Bailly was not going to play.

"But when he saw that [Chris] Smalling in the warm-up was leaving, he decided by himself he did not want another kid on the pitch. He is a team boy, he is a great boy. He is an honest man, always ready to give everything for the team.

"That is why we have him, why we still have him and why he is going to stay with us because football teams need people like him, like [Ander] Herrera. This kind of people where the club is more important than anything else."

United face Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in their final two friendlies before beginning their Premier League campaign against Leicester City on August 10.