Former Manchester United defender Eric Bailly has singled out two of the “strong characters” that were in the dressing room during his time at Old Trafford.
Jose Mourinho made Bailly his first signing at United after he replaced Louis van Gaal, with the Red Devils paying £30m to sign him from Spanish side Villarreal.
Bailly struggled to establish himself as a regular starter during his time at Old Trafford and his problems were further intensified through injuries.
The 29-year-old Ivorian centre-back made 113 appearances for United and lifted a Europa League title and a League Cup under former Red Devils boss Mourinho.
Bailly was sent out on loan to Marseille in 2022 before signing for Turkish side Besiktas last September, with United allowing him to leave on a free transfer.
Bailly on ‘strong characters’ in United dressing room
Speaking to The Athletic, Bailly opened up about his spell at Old Trafford and admitted that the dressing room was “full of strong characters” during his time.
The Ivory Coast international picked out United legend Wayne Rooney, who was recently sacked by Birmingham City, as one of the commanding figures at United.
Bailly admitted that Rooney was “much quieter” compared with former United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who arrived at Old Trafford in the same window as the Ivorian.
“Our dressing room was full of strong characters like Ibra and Rooney,” he said.
“Serious, big-name players. Rooney was much quieter than Ibra, more tranquil.”
Bailly’s football career post-United
Bailly’s spell at Besiktas was short-lived as the ex-United centre-back was one of five players to be excluded from the Turkish side’s first-team squad in December 2023.
The Ivory Coast defender’s contract with the Super Lig outfit was terminated by mutual agreement towards the end of 2023.
“The contract with Eric Bailly, the player of our football A team, has been terminated by mutual agreement,” Besiktas said in a statement at the time.
“We wish Eric Bailly success in his career.”
Bailly has since made his return to Spain and re-signed for Villarreal, with the ex-United star under contract with the La Liga club until June 2025.
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