Manchester United plan contract talks with crocked defender

Manchester United want to hand Eric Bailly a new contract to prevent the defender leaving the club on a free transfer, claims The Sun.

Bailly, who is currently ruled out for up to five months with a knee injury suffered in pre-season, has entered the final year of his current United deal.

The Ivory Coast international has gradually dropped down the pecking order for places at United since joining from Villarreal in the summer of 2016.

Bailly has struggled to stay fit for prolonged periods in the last three years and the 25-year-old is currently out for another substantial period of time.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hoped this season would be the one Bailly fulfilled his potential but another injury set-back has left his United future in limbo.

The Red Devils are now concerned Bailly could run down his contract and leave for nothing at the end of the season.

Arsenal, Tottenham and AC Milan have been linked with a move for Bailly in the last 12 months and other clubs around Europe will be monitoring his future.

United are now planning contract talks with Bailly in order to prevent the defender leaving on a free transfer next summer.

Bailly has only started 43 of a possible 115 league matches since joining United in a £30m deal three years ago.

In that time, United have a better win ratio in the Premier League when Bailly has started (61%) compared to when he hasn’t (52%).