Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has leapt into the defense of Manchester United after their on loan defender Eric Bailly accused the club of ‘favouring’ English players over outsiders. Bailly left United this summer as he joined French side Marseille on a season-long loan for a nominal fee of £1.8 million. The center-back has had both positive as well as negative moments at Old Trafford since joining them in 2016 from Villarreal.
United had shelled out £34 million on the acquisition of the Ivory Coast international, who became a crucial part of their team in his initial years at the club. Bailly made 39 appearances in all competitions in his debut season at Old Trafford, since garnering 113 games under belt. However, last season he featured only 7 times leading him to opt for a loan this season.
Poor when he has played- Carragher gives befitting reply to the Manchester United defender
Bailly was an important player under Manchester United’s former coach Jose Mourinho who handed him 66 games at the club. The 28-year-old did repay the faith placed in him by Mourinho, helping the Red Devils to a Europa League and Carabao Cup double in his first season. However, Mourinho’s sacking turned Bailly’s world upside down at Old Trafford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer asked United to buy him a new center-back, citing Bailly’s constant injury issues. The club as a result, forked out £78 million on the signing of Leicester City’s England international Harry Maguire. But the center-back has failed to live up to his price tag and has often delivered disastrous performances. Taking aim at United’s failed investment on the Englishman, Bailly recently said:
“The club [Manchester United] should avoid favouring English players and give everyone a chance. [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.”
On the other hand, his comments haven’t gone well with Jamie Carragher who came out lashing at the Man United loanee. Taking to the Twitter, Carragher responded to Bailly’s comments by stating:
“Absolute nonsense, Eric Bailly has been injured consistently and poor when he has played. That’s why they keep buying players to replace him! Harry Maguire is a better player.”
Absolute nonsense, Eric Bailly has been injured consistently and poor when he has played. That’s why they keep buying players to replace him! Harry Maguire is a better player. https://t.co/9fvBxp9gMN
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) September 6, 2022
While Carragher argues that Maguire has been better for United than Bailly, there maybe a contrast to what he feels. Maguire was thought to be United’s own Virgil van Dijk, only for him to turn out to be a horrible signing. The 29-year-old has so far let in 164 goals in his 147 appearances, recording a ratio of 1.1 goals conceded per game. However, the former Liverpool defender is not completely at wrong in pointing out Bailly’s injury issues at the club.
Bailly had missed 103 games for Manchester United across six seasons due to injuries prior to his loan move to Marseille. Nonetheless, the Ivorian still has two years left on his current deal with the Red Devils which he is expected to see out. On the other hand, United have even moved on from Maguire, with Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof leading the charge of their backline over the England international.