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Football fans have lauded Manchester United and Ivory Coast defender Eric Bailly for his performance against Egypt in Round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday.
The game went to penalties after both teams were deadlocked at 0-0 after extra time. Unfortunately, Eric Bailly was the only player to miss during the penalty shootout, which Egypt won 5-4, helping them progress to the quarter-finals of the competition. They will meet high-fliers Morocco next.
The Manchester United defender made 10 clearances, won eight of his 11 duels, made two interceptions and blocked four shots. He managed to keep in-form Egypt and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah at bay.
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Despite his poor spot-kick during the penalty shootout, Bailly received praise for his performance against Egypt. Fans labeled the Ivorian's performance as 'phenomenal' and compared him to AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini.
Eric Bailly joined United from Villarreal in the summer of 2016 in a deal worth £34 million. The defender enjoyed an impressive start to life at Old Trafford but has seen his progress hampered by a few injuries over the years. He has made 113 appearances across competitions for the club till date.
Furthermore, the arrivals of the likes of Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane has seen him fall down the pecking order. He has made just seven appearances in all competitions for the club this season.
Despite suffering from a number of injuries in the recent past and producing inconsistent performances, the 27-year-old is considered one of the most naturally-gifted defenders in the United squad.
Eric Bailly's speed, courage, tenacity, and physicality make him capable of becoming an elite defender.
Eric Bailly could seek a move away from Manchester United
Despite signing a new contract with Manchester United towards the end of last season, Eric Bailly could seek a move away from Old Trafford in the near future. The former Villarreal star has been starved of regular playing time this season and has attracted interest from some of Europe's top clubs.
According to Foot Mercato, AC Milan have registered an interest in Eric Bailly. The Italian giants currently sit third in the Serie A table. They are keen to bolster their defense to boost their chances of mounting a serious challenge for the league title in the second half of the campaign.
Former United manager and current AS Roma head coach Jose Mourinho is believed to be keen to sign Bailly as well. The defender was the Portuguese tactician's first signing at United since taking over as manager and could therefore be keen to reunite with Mourinho in Rome.
