Eric Bailly warned by Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick over Harry Maguire Instagram post

Eric Bailly’s open undermining of Manchester United captain Harry Maguire, according to Ralf Rangnick, “should not happen in a football club at any level.”

“Start Eric Bailly x Varane,” an Instagram user demanded in response to a post on the official United account. Bailly responded with a ‘please’ message accompanied by a laughing and praying emoji.

Bailly’s displeasure of Maguire’s privileges at United is one of the worst-kept secrets in the locker room, and despite Raphael Varane’s unavailability due to injury, the Cote d’Ivoire international did not start in the back three at Liverpool.

Bailly, 27, has made seven appearances for United this season, with Phil Jones, who has started two games in the last two years, ahead of him in the center-back pecking order.

Rangnick was ignorant of Bailly’s social media post when asked about his behavior, and was briefed on it by the United press officer as he exited his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon.

“I’m not on Instagram,” Rangnick stated emphatically. “Listen, I’m not talking about my players not knowing what happened at the press conference; it doesn’t make sense.” I can only tell you that I will never be a part of Instagram.

“If what you told me is true, that should not happen in any football team, regardless of league.”

United is willing to sell Bailly, who effectively gave an ultimatum to previous manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that he starts in the Europa League final or faces a sale.

The fragile star joined United from Villarreal for £30 million in 2016 but has only made 113 appearances for the club. Bruno Fernandes, who joined United three and a half years after Bailly, has made more appearances.