Eric Bailly accuses Manchester United of "favouring English players"

 

ERIC BAILLY has sensationally accused Manchester United of “favouring English stars” who “took their place for granted.”

And he has urged the Red Devils to be more like rivals Chelsea by being unbiased towards their homegrown and academy players.

Speaking to The Times, Bailly hit out at an alleged fostering of English talent at Old Trafford.

The Ivorian, 28, made no secret of his displeasure at being benched by recent managers Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.

Bailly was left fuming last year when an unfit Harry Maguire was picked over him in United’s 4-2 defeat to Leicester.

And he publicly questioned Rangnick’s selection of the Three Lions centre-back by liking a social media post calling for him to be in United’s starting XI.

Like Maguire, other regulars such as Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have come under fire for their United performances recently.

And Bailly reckons the Red Devils must stop playing favourites if they are to progress back up the league table following a sharp decline.

Bailly said: “The club should avoid favouring English players and give everyone a chance.

“The club should encourage competition in the dressing room. I always felt like the English players were favoured.

“That’s not the case at Chelsea or other big Premier League clubs. Some take it for granted they’re going to start and that weakens the team.

“Fortunately, Ten Hag has a lot of character and I hope he can change that.

“I met Ten Hag at the end of last season when he went to sign his contract.

“I was packing my bags because my intention was to leave, but he told me that he wanted me to stay, because he was going to give everyone minutes.

“I agreed to tour with United and he kept his word, but I don’t want to play once in a while. I want to play every week and feel important.