It has been a while since a Manchester United defender has purred like a Rolls Royce.
That’s what Harry Redknapp labelled Rio Ferdinand when he first saw him, as West Ham boss. It was a fitting comparison as Ferdinand enjoyed a fine career with a mix of elegance and steel.
United have often depended on David De Gea to bail them out, ever since Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic departed the club. Jose Mourinho will be hoping to change that and it was no surprise that his first signing was the £30m arrival of Eric Bailly from Villarreal.
While it may only be Wigan that he was playing against, Bailly handled all they slung at him and still found time to entertain the fans.
Skills from @EricBailly24 ? Watch #MUFC live on #MUTVHD: https://t.co/FbgThKueDt https://t.co/nUxxcyJjqO
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 16, 2016
There may be hope yet.
As for his other defensive contributions, Bailly made a couple of nice interceptions and headers while he was not afraid to bark orders at the rest of his back four. He made two decent forays upfield too before finding a teammate and retreating back.
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