Manchester United centre-back Eric Bailly may not sign a contract extension, with the player frustrated by his lack of game time, according to reports.
The Ivorian has made 15 appearances this season but he has started just seven matches in the Premier League, and the 26-year-old is reportedly considering leaving in the bid to become a first-team regular.
While there is a large section of the fanbase who would be very disappointed if Bailly leaves, it is not an opinion shared by everyone, with supporters on Twitter having a mixed reaction to the news:
Our best centre back is literally about to walk due to favouritism and mis-management… what are we doing.
— James Stewart (@MrJames_Stewart) March 22, 2021
Every single fan, player and member of staff at the club know that he is our first choice partner to maguire but the guy is made of glass. The club have been far from disrespectful as have stuck by him throughout his incredible amount of injuries. Shame if it ends this way
— Red (@REDM555) March 22, 2021
I don’t blame him. Certain players play every game no matter what and others can’t get 2 games in a row it’s unfair.
— ☆Martin☆Labile☆Fernandes☆(Bruno regen) (@Bog60372111) March 22, 2021
The club could have sold him years ago due to his consistent injuries, but they stuck by him. Let him go. #MUFC
— Carl ??? (@Carl_Fox94) March 22, 2021
Don’t blame him. He wants to play & whenever he puts in a good performance, Ole drops him next game
— Utd Sauce? (@UtdSauce1) March 22, 2021
Ole is slowly becoming like mourinho!
— Smiley (@theboismiley) March 22, 2021
Lol wtf. I love him but he’s very lucky to have lasted this long at the club with all of his injury problems
— . (@Andre_DS18) March 22, 2021
Get ole out he’s caused this
— ???? (@asmufc1) March 22, 2021
Bye then lol
— CR (@OlesRed) March 22, 2021
The biggest issue for Bailly has always been fitness and there are big question marks over whether manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can trust him to form a partnership with Harry Maguire, if he is likely to get injured on a regular basis.
However, with the exception of a minor knock at the beginning of February, the defender has been available for selection since Christmas, and it seems Solskjaer still prefers to start Victor Lindelof in the big games. With that being the case, a departure in the summer could happen.
