3 Unsuccessful signings made by Jose Mourinho at Manchester United

#2 Eric Bailly

Bailly was the first player signed by Mourinho at United. The Ivory Coast center-back was signed from Villarreal with a lot of expectations and featured in 38 matches for United in the first season. However, since then, he has only played in 25 matches for them in one and a half seasons and is going to leave the club in January.

Bailly is a young centre-back and an able tackler and marker. Moreover, he is strong in the air too and should have been the first choice centre-back for United. However, veteran Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof have been playing as center-backs for United and Bailly has made only seven appearances for them in the ongoing season.

Mourinho should have helped him develop into a better defender and used him in the central defence for 7-8 years at least. Instead, he would move into another club after two and a half seasons with the club, a considerable part of which was spent warming the bench.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Abhinav Munshi