According to The Telegraph, Manchester United are plotting a move for Dayot Upamecano.
Whether a move for Upamecano is possible is unclear. But this is not the first time United have been linked with signing a centre-back this summer, following RMC Sport‘s claim of interest in Monaco’s Benoit Badiashile.
A move for a new centre-back would have an impact on all the defenders in United’s ranks. It will force Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, and Phil Jones closer to the exit door.
But it will also have a negative impact on Eric Bailly too, United’s notoriously unlucky defender.
Will he ever get his chance?
Bailly’s time at United is at risk of running out. Injuries have blighted his career after an impressive debut season following his £30 million move in 2016.
After returning from injury in January, Bailly made just one Premier League start.
Despite impressing in the Europa League, he was dropped for the semi-final against Sevilla, and United lost.
This was a firm indication that manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer simply does not see him as one of the club’s top two centre-backs.
Perhaps after Victor Lindelof’s semi-final error he may reconsider, but Bailly is at risk of being the odd man out once again in 2020/21.
Axel Tuanzebe is expected back from injury and he will get chances. Solskjaer wants to see what he has with the youngster, and give him a chance to prove himself.
Academy talent Teden Mengi is on the rise too, making his debut in the Europa League last month.
Throw a new signing into the mix of Upamecano’s calibre, and it is hard to see quite where Bailly fits in.
He’s good enough
United won’t want to lose him, but Bailly may be agitated enough to push for a move to play regularly.
He has missed too much time in his career due to injury to spend months sitting on the bench.
It would be a big shame if this happened too. Bailly is good enough to be a regular. United look hard to beat when he is in the side.
It is just a question of whether he can stay fit, with his lack of robustness letting him down.
At just 26, Bailly still has plenty to offer, and he will hope his bad luck is behind him.
New signing or not, United must give him a fair shot to succeed and play a role, or risk losing him.
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