Manchester United defender Eric Bailly is set to make a return to Old Trafford as his loan spell at Marseille comes to an end this summer. The decision to extend Bailly's contract at Manchester United in 2021 has raised eyebrows, considering his limited playing time under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and subsequent doubts from Ralf Rangnick and Erik ten Hag.
Bailly himself expressed frustration earlier in the season, claiming he was denied opportunities at United. However, his loan move to Marseille has failed to provide the desired breakthrough for the Ivorian center-back.
Reports suggest that Bailly will not be joining Marseille on a permanent basis, as he has not played enough games to activate their purchase option. Furthermore, the French club is not interested in bringing him back for another stint.
Since joining Marseille, Bailly has struggled to cement a place in the starting lineup. He has not started a game since February and has only made four league starts throughout the season, with a total of nine appearances in all competitions.
Bailly's loan spell has been plagued by injuries and a suspension, leading Marseille to favor other defensive options over him. His lack of consistent playing time has disappointed his former Ivory Coast manager, Patrick Beaumelle, who believes Bailly could have made a significant contribution to the team had he been fully fit.
Manchester United, on the other hand, have shown no interest in retaining Bailly on a permanent basis. While he still has another year remaining on his contract, the club is unlikely to find many suitors willing to pay a substantial fee for the defender following his underwhelming loan spell.
For Manchester United, the priority may be to offload Bailly's wages, even if it means arranging another loan move for the player. With his future at Old Trafford uncertain, it remains to be seen what lies ahead for Eric Bailly in the coming months.