Marseille boss explains why Eric Bailly may not feature much before the World Cup

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Igor Tudor has explained why Manchester United loanee Eric Bailly might not feature much for Marseille before the World Cup.

The Ivory Coast international joined the Ligue 1 giants on a season-long loan on 24 August.

Marseille has an obligation to buy the former Villarreal man if they qualify for the Champions League, like they did last season, or he plays a certain number of games. Les Phoceens are also covering the 28-year-old’s wages.

Following the arrival of Lisandro Martinez, Bailly found himself as United’s fifth-choice centre-back under Erik ten Hag and his prospects of featuring regularly under the former Ajax manager were extremely slim.

Igor Tudor explains why Eric Bailly might not feature much for Marseille before the World Cup

Bailly has started three games for Marseille alongside two substitute appearances, but the Ivorian has already suffered an injury since moving to France.

United’s number three missed the 1-1 league draw against Rennes with a thigh problem in the last gameweek before the September international break.

Bailly returned to the squad for Marseille’s 3-0 win against Angers on Friday night, but he was an unused substitute.

Bailly was riddled with fitness issues during his time with Manchester United, and it looks like the defender’s fortunes aren’t changing at a different club.

The 46-time Ivory Coast international made 113 appearances for the Red Devils over six years having been signed from Villarreal by Jose Mourinho.

After making 25 Premier League appearances in his maiden campaign at the Theatre of Dreams, Bailly failed to make more than 13 top-flight appearances in any of his next five seasons at the club.

Ahead of Marseille’s Champions League game against Sporting Lisbon at the Stade Velodrome tomorrow night, Marseille boss Tudor was asked how important Bailly was to his team.

Speaking via La Provence, Tudor said: “Bailly is very important to us, he arrived late, he doesn’t have the same preparation. I’m really waiting for the World Cup break where he can train with us for a month.”

Including tomorrow night’s Champions League clash, Marseille has ten matches before the domestic season pauses due to the World Cup kicking off in Qatar next month.

With Ivory Coast not participating at the World Cup, it seems that Tudor has earmarked that gap in the club calendar to get Bailly up to speed for his side.

But judging by the former Hellas Verona’s comments, Bailly may have to remain patient over the next six weeks and his Marseille career could finally ignite in 2023.