OPINION
So much has been made of Manchester United’s defensive woes in recent times, but under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer things seem to be slowly on the mend. Victor Lindelof in particular has been a revelation since the Norwegian took over, but finding a dependable central defensive partner for him is still something of a concern for the Reds. Eric Bailly was given the nod on Sunday against Leicester City, and it’s probably fair to say that he has the most potential to be the Swede’s long term colleague, but even in the first half against the Foxes there moments of worryingly erratic defending from the Ivorian. Bailly has all the qualities needed to become a real force at Old Trafford. He is naturally gifted at reading a game, blessed with an unusually rapid turn of pace for a defender, and has no issues with marshalling most forwards he us put up against – but he needs to stop the moments of madness if he is to establish himself as a United regular. One moment in the first half in particular summed up the 24-year-old’s time in Manchester perfectly, as he allowed a ball to drop over his shoulder, did well to outmuscle his man, and then proceeded to hoof it half the length of the field out for a corner. It was unnecessary, erratic, and hints at a player who still has a lot to learn.
This is Futbol have gathered some of the best tweets below:
If only Eric Bailly was half as good as Twitter makes him out to be…
— Matt (@mattnevett) February 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/DeeJayHazan/status/1092064991811907584
WTF IS WRONG WITH ERIC BAILLY?
— … (@_blaqsheep) February 3, 2019
Bailly the weak link
— Hakim™ ? (@wayneatem10) February 3, 2019
Eric Bailly is 70% Legend and 30% idiot. funny player
— Mr. Wonderful (@quaggmaya) February 3, 2019
Eric Bailly doesn’t look settled at all. Making me very nervous
— deon (@deondj40) February 3, 2019
Eric Bailly is a bloody headcase pic.twitter.com/U0g1iZ06IW
— Tom Pearson ? (@tom_pearson6) February 3, 2019
Bailly’s mind works in reverse.
— b & 999 others… (@bellorian) February 3, 2019