Eric Bailly Is Back To His Best At United

Eric Bailly has started four straight games for the first time since 2017, with his impressive displays catching the eye. As the final whistle went at Old Trafford on Friday, Bailly was mobbed by his team-mates.

The United players were keen to show their admiration for Bailly’s crucial block to deny Aston Villa’s equalizer. It was clear that he was keen to enjoy a moment of satisfaction after a run of terrible injuries at United.

It has been a struggle for Eric, with injuries preventing him from having a decent run of form.

“He’s got a style of play that’s caused him to be injured a few times” Solskjaer said after the win.

“You can see how much it means to him, and for the boys at the end of the game. He’s such a well-liked player and man in the dressing room. Everyone wants him to do well, they know the struggles he’s had and we’re delighted for him.”

It is not just Bailly’s personality that has earned him fans inside the United dressing room, though.

If the 26-year-old keeps putting in the level of performance he has over the festive period, then Solskjaer is going to find it difficult to leave him out, even with Victor Lindelof now fit to return from his latest stint out with a recurring back injury.

One of Bailly’s key attributes and something that has been lacking from United’s backline is his pace.

When partnering Harry Maguire and Lindelof in defense, Solskjaer’s side have been exposed against teams who like to use speed and hit them on the counterattack.

It is precisely those kinds of attacks that Bailly excels in stopping, together Maguire’s physicality they compliment one another.

Bailly is comfortable playing out from the back and bringing the ball forward. One of his drives forward on Friday sparked an attack in the Villa penalty area.

The key for Bailly now is to stay fit, which given his injury record is likely to be easier said than done.