Manchester United defender wants January exit

 

Eric Bailly wants to leave Manchester United in January putting the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham on red alert, claims The Daily Mirror.

 

The Ivory Coast international was the first signing Jose Mourinho made as United manager but has gradually slipped out of favour under the Portuguese.

 

Bailly has struggled with fitness during his three years at the club and is now below Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof in the pecking order for places at Old Trafford.

 

The 24-year-old made a tremendous start to his United career but has only gone backwards in his development in the last 18 months.

 

Bailly was briefly linked with a move away in the summer after being frozen out by Mourinho towards the end of last season and things haven’t improved this term.

 

Manchester United defender wants January exit

 

 

The Ivorian hasn’t started since a dreadful showing in United’s shock 3-2 defeat to Brighton, in which he conceded a penalty with a rash challenge.

 

Arsenal and Tottenham are both monitoring Bailly’s future at United and are prepared to make a January swoop if he looks to force through a move away from the Red Devils.

 

Since making his debut for United in August 2016, Mourinho’s side have a better win ratio in the Premier League when Bailly has started (62.2%) compared to when he hasn’t featured from the off (52.3%).