ERIC THE RED ENFORCER
United rock Bailly is so excited to play the role of ‘warrior’ in Jose’s assault on Prem crown
ERIC BAILLY is ready to assume the role of Jose’s “warrior” in Manchester United’s route back to the top.
The Portuguese boss has relied on defensive leaders wherever he has managed – John Terry at Chelsea, Marco Materazzi at Inter Milan and Pepe at Real Madrid among them.
And Bailly, Mourinho’s first United signing last summer following a £30million switch from Villarreal, is the latest to emerge as the Special One’s rock at the back.
New £30m signing Victor Lindelof did not make the bench for United’s 4-0 win over West Ham last Sunday, to open their Premier League campaign, because Mourinho (below) felt he needed more time to adapt.
And while Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are in and out of the team due to form and fitness, Bailly has been the constant at the back, and is relishing the prospect of joining the manager’s exclusive list of defensive legends.
“Those are players who have passed various phases in their careers,” said Bailly. “They’re big players, for whom you have a lot of respect, and you always need an example like them.
“I’ve had the luck to have a manager in Jose Mourinho from whom I can learn more and I must work hard and listen to what he says.”
Bailly, a no-nonsense defender in the mould of Jaap Stam and Nemanja Vidic before him at United, aims to emulate the success of h i s predecessors, but conceded it will be difficult.
“To achieve success you have to take the example of players like Vidic and Rio Ferdinand,” said Bailly. “I have to try to follow in their footsteps. It’s very difficult, but everything is achieved with hard work, keeping my head high to keep moving forward.”
Although Bailly appeared to adapt to English football with little difficulty, the 23-year-old conceded it wasn’t totally straightforward.
“It’s not easy,” said Bailly. “When you come to the team there are players who have more experience in the English league, and I had to see how the football was played. But for me, it wasn’t that difficult because I had very good team-mates who helped me.
“I’ve had the luck to be in a lockerroom that’s like family. There are players who speak French and Spanish, like Ander Herrera and Juan Mata, as well as Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial.
“The English players helped me too. The adaptation has been easy because of that and so the life in England hasn’t been that difficult for me.”
Bailly is convinced that, under Mourinho, United can get back on top, having not won the title since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down in 2013.
“The team has always been world class, they’ve just had bad moments,” said Bailly. “But now it’s time to give Manchester United its true value and that comes with hard work and all the players that arrived to help the club.
“We have to make a solid group to start this season and with all the hard work put in, we’ll demonstrate again we’re a world-class club.”