Eric Bailly makes appeal to start ahead of Harry Maguire in Instagram post

Bailly hasn't featured for Man United this year

Eric Bailly has seemingly made a plea to start ahead of Harry Maguire for Manchester United this weekend in an Instagram post. Bailly has only played seven times for United this season and hasn't featured at all in 2022, with his last appearance coming against Burnley on December 30. Aside from numerous injury problems, the defender has found himself out of favour under interim boss, Ralf Rangnick, with some suggestions even claiming that he could depart Old Trafford in the summer. Questions about the Ivorian's future were raised even further after Phil Jones was preferred ahead of the centre-back in the 4-0 defeat to Liverpool. With Raphael Varane set to return to action for United against Arsenal this weekend, it seems highly unlikely that Bailly will feature again this season.

Bailly made his plea to start on Instagram

But after posting a series of the club's training photos, fans demanded for the 28-year-old to start the game at the Emirates Stadium. One fan said: "Start Eric Bailly x Varane" to which the defender himself replied saying "please" along with a laughing and prayer hands emojis. It's unlikely that the comment will be well received by Rangnick, who was criticised for his decision to play a back five, along with many other players. Club captain Maguire received heavy backlash in particular after claiming that he "wouldn't be playing every game for Manchester United in the starting 11 if I'd been playing bad every game," with many feeling the 29-year-old should face a spell out of the side. Maguire recently confirmed that he would be available for selection for this weekend's game against Arsenal, despite police being called to his house over a bomb scare on Thursday. https://twitter.com/FootballJOE/status/1517447011510927360 Related links:

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