Mourinho in bizarre Bailly claim
Jose Mourinho has bizarrely claimed he has exiled Eric Bailly because the Manchester United centre-half is not going to the World Cup this summer.
Bailly has not featured since the 3-2 derby win over Manchester City on April 7 and has been left out of three of the past four squads, including the FA Cup semi-final win against Spurs at Wembley.
The Ivory Coast defender has become the latest player signed by Mourinho to get the cold shoulder, yet he claimed ahead of their game at Brighton tonight that Bailly has been omitted because he wants to give more playing time to those centre-halves who are pushing for a World Cup place.
Ivory Coast have not qualified for the tournament, but Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are hoping to force their way into the England set-up, while Victor Lindelof and Marcos Rojo are expected to make Sweden and Argentina’s squads.
Mourinho says there are no issues with the signing from Villarreal in 2016, and that his absence is down to emotional considerations.
“There’s no situation, he is fine, no injury,” the United manager said. “My work is not about giving chances to players at the World Cup, but he’s the only central defender whose country is not there.
“I try to be a good team manager and have feelings, so when I look to the other four central defenders fighting for a place in the World Cup, I am giving less to Eric.”
Romelu Lukaku has been ruled out tonight, but Mourinho is “positive” he will be fit for the FA Cup final against Chelsea.