Manchester United have reached a total agreement with Olympique Marseille to loan Eric Bailly for the 2022/23 season, confirms Fabrizio Romano. The Ivorian defender has lost his place in the squad after the arrival of Lisandro Martinez from Ajax.
Manchester United Set to Send Eric Bailly on Loan
Full agreement reached yesterday between Olympique Marseille and Man Utd for Eric Bailly. Talks ongoing with player’s agent on personal terms also today – been told Bailly wants the move. 🚨🔵 #OM
Loan with buy option, confirmed ⤵️ https://t.co/V4gacDtxBf
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 20, 2022
Full Details of Bailly’s Marseille Move Revealed
The 28-year-old centre-back is going to join the Ligue 1 side on a loan move after realising that he needs to leave Old Trafford for regular playing time. Romano adds that the deal will be a loan with an option to buy in 2023, with talks currently undergoing with Bailly and his agents to sort out the details over personal terms.
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The Ivorian defender is keen on the move himself as he no longer wants to remain a strict squad player for the Red Devils anymore. Bailly remains a highly popular player among the United fans and was even hailed for his impressive performances in the pre-season campaign, especially with a brilliant second-half outing in the 4-0 win over Liverpool last month.
Bailly’s Injury-Hit Career at United Detailed
Since arriving at Old Trafford in 2016, the Ivorian centre-back has struggled for consistency and fitness – which have dragged him back from properly contesting for a regular place in the Red Devils’ team. He’s played under five different managers at United but wasn’t able to convince any of them well enough to be a stalwart in the team.
Moreover, Bailly’s persistent injury issues have continued dragging him back. Since moving to Manchester, he’s suffered 15 different injuries and missed over 85 appearances over the years. The Ivorian’s inability to maintain fitness has forced the Red Devils to sign four different centre-backs (Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Raphael Varane and Martinez) since 2017 and all those individuals are higher-up in the pecking order over him in the squad right now.
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In six seasons, Bailly has only made 113 appearances for United – averaging less than 20-per-season. That is a poor figure for a defender and that’s why the Red Devils are disposing of him. The 28-year-old now seems close to scripting a new chapter in his career and will hope for a more prosperous period with Marseille.
