Manchester United extend Eric Bailly’s contract by TWO more years despite not kicking ball for Red Devils all season
Manchester United have triggered the option to extend defender Eric Bailly's stay at Old Trafford by a further two years.
Bailly's deal was due to expire in the summer but the club has exercised the option to extend it until the end of the 2021/22 season.
This may come as a surprise to Man United fans as the centre-back has not featured for the first-team this season.
The Ivory Coast international sustained a serious knee injury in pre-season but has been playing for the Under-23 side as he edges closer to recovery.
Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted Bailly could even be involved for their Premier League trip to rivals Liverpool on Sunday.
"He's very close, he might be back for the weekend," Solskjaer said. "We've got a game arranged today with the reserves, so he'll play that one.
"Hopefully he'll get 90 minutes, because he didn't feel any after-effects from the game on Friday so he might be ready for Liverpool."
He has made just 74 appearances for Man United since joining in a £30million deal from Villarreal in 2016.
However, this news suggests that Bailly is still viewed as an important part of the squad.
Defence is an area where Man United will want to improve despite shelling out an eye-watering £80m for Harry Maguire last summer.
Chris Smalling was allowed to leave on loan last summer and has excelled at Italian club Roma this term.
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