Eric Bailly

[CaajScot]

[CaajScot]

| FOOTBALL NEWS


09/09/2016 12:44, Report by Adam Marshall

BAILLY: MOURINHO IS A FATHER FIGURE

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly has described Jose Mourinho as a father figure as he aims to build on his sensational start to life at Old Trafford by helping the Reds beat Manchester City in Saturday's derby.

The summer signing from Villarreal has adapted surprisingly quickly to life in the Premier League and has clearly won the hearts of the fans, winning the club's Player of the Month award for August with a series of commanding displays at centre-back.

Reds boss Mourinho has clearly made a big impression on the 22-year-old and will have a major impact on his burgeoning career.

"Jose has taken me under his wing, almost like a son, as he does with other players as well," Bailly told United Review, the official matchday programme, in an exclusive interview.

"It’s a pleasure to be here, working with him and learning from him and I have to take advantage over the course of the years from all his experience. I am very lucky to have that chance and my future time here is going to be a great footballing experience."

Bailly has the African Cup of Nations finals to look forward to in January 2017 after a 1-1 draw with Sierra Leone secured Ivory Coast's place in the tournament in Gabon. Manchester City's Yaya Toure has been named African Player of the Year four times and United's new defensive rock admits it is an ambition of his to scoop the award.

"Of course [it is]," he said. "You should always have to aim high and it all comes down to the amount of work you put in and the rewards you get back for that. I hope I can do this in the African Cup of Nations."

To read the full interview with Eric, pick up Saturday's United Review at Old Trafford or order a copy online at www.manutd.com/programme.

www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2016/Sep/eric-bailly-says-jose-mourinho-is-like-a-father-figure.aspx

[CaajScot]

[Sméagol]

[redcase]

Sept 26, 2016 16:33:47 GMT Sméagol said:

I shall name him Eric the Destroyer.

[CaajScot]

| FOOTBALL NEWS



07/10/2016 17:00, Report by Mark Froggatt

BAILLY'S THE PRIDE OF IVORY COAST

Ivory Coast legend Kolo Toure has claimed the whole of his country is proud of compatriot Eric Bailly following the 22-year-old’s excellent start to life at Manchester United.

Bailly moved to Old Trafford from La Liga side Villarreal in the summer and hit the ground running under Jose Mourinho’s management, winning the Man of the Match award from three of his first four matches before fans voted him the club’s Player of the Month for August.

Toure, who is currently playing for Celtic in Scotland, knows Bailly extremely well after they formed a successful centre-back partnership when Ivory Coast won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015.

The former Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool defender retired from international football immediately after that triumph but he will watch the Elephants when they face Mali on Saturday night. The 35-year-old will pay particular attention to his friend Bailly following his recent ascension with the Reds.

“Eric started brilliantly and the whole of our country is really, really happy and we are all really proud of him,” Toure recently told United Review, the official match programme at Old Trafford. “We knew before his transfer that he has great quality because he was playing with Villarreal, but it takes a lot to play for a big club like United and do what he’s doing right now.

“We are so proud that he is playing for a big club in the best league in the world, playing in tough games against tough strikers. He has been outstanding overall and that shows the quality the boy has. We are all really proud of what he’s doing right now, and we just pray he carries on.”

Toure is confident that Bailly can become a huge player for the club going forward, following his fine start with the Reds. “He’s a really composed, calm boy who knows what he’s here for,” said Kolo. “He’s here to play football and he’s really enjoying his time in Manchester with his family. You can tell that just from the way he’s playing! He’s enjoying the city and he’s a really good boy. He’s tall, technically very good, has brilliant vision and he’s really calm. That calmness is the most powerful attribute he’s got.

“He can be a big, big player for United,” the 35-year-old continued. “He can be the future for United. What he’s doing right now is amazing and I think his future is really, really bright. He can be up there with the top defenders United have had. He’s young and will learn from working with one of the best managers in the world, and of course he’s going to get better. Definitely. He will improve and if he learns from Jose Mourinho then he can become one of the best defenders in the world.”

Visit ManUtd.com/InternationalReds on Saturday night for news of Eric Bailly's Ivory Coast v Mali.

www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2016/Oct/Kolo-Toure-claims-Ivory-Coast-is-proud-of-Eric-Bailly-success-at-United.aspx

[Sméagol]

http://instagram.com/p/BL_hb9aFBmX

[Stew]

He'll still be back before Jones.

[Deleted]

If he is out for two months, I hope it's just a little bit longer than that... No ACN. 5 or 6 weeks would be better obviously because then he can play for us, but if it's 2 months and then he buggers off anyway, I'd rather it be a little longer.

[ratbag]

Oct 26, 2016 10:11:53 GMT @dedrevil said:

If he is out for two months, I hope it's just a little bit longer than that... No ACN. 5 or 6 weeks would be better obviously because then he can play for us, but if it's 2 months and then he buggers off anyway, I'd rather it be a little longer.

I was thinking exactly the same thing...I'd hate for him to come back too early and go to the ACN, maybe get another injury...also I don't want him going to the ACN anyway and a further rest might be really helpful...

[CaajScot]

[CaajScot]

[Deleted]

This needs to start doing the rounds!!

[caino]

that is beltin! that's got to make the terraces

[CaajScot]