Eric Bailly had a feature interview with the Times this weekend, and he revealed that one of the greatest players in Chelsea’s history convinced him to turn down Manchester City in favour of Manchester United.
Advertisement
But even if the Frenchman does return to United four years after his much publicised departure, United manager Jose Mourinho still has work to do if he wants the flawless squad for next season.
The athletic defender was, quite surprisingly, Mourinho’s first signing after taking over at Old Trafford, after arriving from Villarreal for £30m.
Bailly, 22, was Mourinho’s first signing at United, and has since been joined by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan as United look to improve on their last three disappointing campaigns.
The Ivory Coast global was asked to move to City by countryman Yaya Toure but Didier Drogba’s experience of working with Mourinho had him sold on linking up with the former Chelsea manager at Old Trafford.
The Ivorian defender revealed that he “didn’t speak to Pep Guardiola” as such but that he did get a call from the “second manager” who wanted to bring him to the blue side of Manchester.
Speaking to MUTV after the 5-2 win over Galatasaray in Gothenburg on Saturday, Mourinho was asked about players who featured and whether or not they had conveyed enough to be part of Mourinho’s long term master plan.
“He said come and play for me”. Didier is a friend and he told me Jose did a lot for him’.
“So I just want to try my best and see if I can match the level of the man, even though I know that will be very hard”.
He said come and play for me.
Advertisement
“So I just want to try my best and see if I can match the level of the man, even though I know that will be very hard”.
