Eric Bailly Signs Two-Year Manchester United Contract Extension

Manchester United certainly have a plethora of areas to look at reinforcing and revamping if they are serious about acquiring silverware.

So far this transfer window, the bid to sign Bruno Fernandes and secure that vital attacking midfield spot as well as the clearing up of surplus talent has been in accordance with this trend. Further still, the club is expected to make some sweeping changes as well, although the summer window may be a more appropriate time to do that.

This leaves them to deal with players already at the club who are touted to leave or whose deals expire at the end of the present season. Ashley Young’s departure to Inter Milan arose from such a condition.

Now, the Red Devils may have made a big move to avoid a similar scenario.

According to ESPN, Manchester United have triggered a two-year-extension to Eric Bailly’s stay at Old Trafford. The period of extension was one that was stipulated in his contract beforehand and was allegedly activated due to the fact that the centre-back’s deal would have otherwise expired at the end of this season.

The Ivory-Coast international has been plagued by injuries throughout his stay at United, with this season yet to see him taste action as a result of a serious pre-season knock.

However, the 25-year-old Bailly is now training and playing in the youth setups in a bid to retain match-fitness and is expected to taste first-team action by the end of this month.

His return will be a crucial one for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and company as they were almost threatened with a lack of fit centre-backs when newly-named club captain Harry Maguire was thought to be out for a considerable period of time.

Further still, Bailly’s presence will give the Norwegian gaffer a realistic option with which to cycle through Victor Lindelof in the current backline.