Eric Bailly has asked Ralf Rangnick to put him ahead of Harry Maguire this weekend for Manchester United.
Bailly has only appeared seven times for United this season and has not appeared for the club since the beginning of the year. On December 30, he made his last appearance in a 3-1 win over Burnley.
The Ivory Coast international has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford under interim manager Ralf Rangnick, prompting speculation that he may quit the club this summer. Bailly’s contract expires in 2024, with the club having the option to extend it for another year, but he has been linked with AC Milan and Roma.
Rangnick chose Phil Jones to start ahead of him in a back five against Liverpool on Tuesday night, casting further doubt on his future at United. Despite the absence of Raphael Varane due to injury, Bailly was left on the bench as the visitors were beaten 4-0.
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With Varane due to return for Saturday’s trip to Arsenal, Bailly looks increasingly unlikely to play again this season. However, the 28-year-old has made a frantic attempt to persuade Rangnick to start him alongside the Frenchman at the Emirates Stadium.
Rangnick, who was chastised for playing a back five against Liverpool in midweek, may not be pleased with the remark. The idea was scrapped at halftime, with Jones taking his place, although it did little to alleviate United’s shame.
Maguire, in particular, was chastised for his performance after claiming in an interview ahead of the game that he “wouldn’t be playing every game for Manchester United in the starting 11 if I’d been playing awful every game.” Seeing one of his own teammates openly requesting to be picked ahead of him isn’t going to help his case with supporters.
