Manchester United defender Eric Bailly was snubbed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in favour of an unfit Harry Maguire during Saturday’s trip to Leicester City. The manager’s decision is now under the spotlight after shipping four goals in the tie, and it certainly was not one of Maguire’s finest afternoons as Bailly found himself rooted to the bench.
The majority of the game was played on a knife-edge until a late flurry of activity saw the Foxes scurry off into the sunset with three points.
Two late goals from Jamie Vardy and Patson Daka secured a memorable 4-2 result, leaving the Red Devils dejected after full-time having conceding ground in the Premier League title race.
Leicester’s opening goal was a fine finish by Youri Tielemans, although Maguire initially gave the ball away under pressure from Kelechi Iheanacho.
With three more goals flying past him before heading back up north, it was not a good afternoon for the former Leicester centre-back.
JUST IN: Man Utd set Nemanja Matic price tag as Barcelona come calling for midfielder
“The new contract shows the group has confidence in me – the coach, the staff and the players and, for me, that is very important.”
The new deal itself came as a surprise to many, given that Bailly has not racked up more than 20 league appearances in a single season since his debut campaign back in 2016/17.
He is yet to see any league action this season, despite being widely touted to take to the field against Leicester.
Now tied down to a long-term deal, it is hard to see where the defender goes from here after being sent a clear message by Solskjaer.