José's first signing. Welcome to United Eric Bailly!

Who do you think said the following:

"Rio has been the best defender in the country, if not Europe for a couple of years. His maturity and leadership have been key factors in his and the team's success. He is someone that young players learn from and that more experienced players respect. I have not seen a better defensive pairing than him and Nemanja for a long time."

 

Vidic was voted player of the season by representatives of the governing body, members of the media and fans. He was voted for as the more immediately visible member of a two man defence that dominated the league.

 

Being more visible as a defender is not necessarily a good thing. Rio wasn't as noticeable because he was a step ahead of the attack most of the time. He didn't have to lunge into crazy tackles like Vidic because he was in position to cut them out.

 

Let's stick with where Ashur is going with his post.

At this rate of "debate" Jonny Evans will be deemed better than Vidic, the Ballon d'Or won't mean shit, Moyes is a greater manager than Mourinho, and we missed an opportunity to develop one of the all time greats when we sold Memphis.

 

Sorry, I was writing a post to point out that Vidic's awards were meted out by exactly the sorts of people who value visible defending, but then I went off and did something more productive with my time. Must have clicked post in my pocket.

Yeah, let's move on. All of us capable of forming a remotely logical argument who get that personal awards will naturally go to the Gerrards and not the Scholes', who agree that Darren Fletcher was not better than Carrick because of an armband, are agreed that Rio was the better of the two (excellent) defenders.


On topic, I'd certainly hope Bailly can be the Stam to Lindelof's Johnsen. He might not hit those heights but if he comes close he'll have done bloody well for himself.

 

It is. If his "opinions" were valid or defendable it would not require page upon page of irrelevant and assine remarks with a sprinkling of desperate diatribe.

 

What I can say in your defense, Teso, is that you understand the distinction between a "fact" and an "opinion". That a few others here fail -- and in some cases even refuse -- to understand that distinction is not unusual for an internet forum.

I may not agree with all of your arguments (Memphis was brilliant, Ibra was terrible, etc.,) but at least you make a sincere effort to construct an argument on a body of facts that are reasonably related to each other.

 

Eric Bailly: ‘We are going to demonstrate that Manchester United are world class’

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...lly-manchester-united-world-class-ivory-coast

 

It really is fascinating how much better Bailly is than Smalling and Jones. Not a wee bit better and not even somewhat better, but substantially better. All the tools are there and it wouldn't surprise me in the least to see Real come knocking for him in a season or two.

As for Smalling being so disappointing, what a shame. There was never greatness in his boots, but he could have been a reliable piece on the back line for a decade but for whatever reason never developed the mental fortitude required for success as a United CB and, inexplicably, never became a footballer who was comfortable with the ball at his feet.

 

Outstanding performance today against Huddersfield in the FA Cup

 

"He’s not a bighead…Basically, he’s stayed African.”

Eric Bailly swapped dirt pitches for the Theatre of Dreams, but he’s never forgotten his roots | @tomwfootball https://t.co/e73Ehm7vbj pic.twitter.com/v7lIvUKBn9

— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 20, 2018

 

What nonsense is this? You play your best player every match as long as he is fit.

 

🗣 "We're eager to set new goals and to see lots of smiles in the stands at Old Trafford next season."

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 23, 2018

 

FWIW Jose explanation on why he is not playing Eric

https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...otball-news/man-utd-eric-bailly-news-15457580

Claims it is for consistency because Smalls/Lindelof have better injury records (ie Mou is still pissed at Eric for dropping out of West Brom game in April).

 

With Lindelof out its another chance for bailly and hopefully he will not screw it ..

 

Big congrats to @EricBailly24, who has been named in Africa's best XI at the #CAFAwards18!

Our centre-back 💪 #MUFC pic.twitter.com/3d57oGFBPl

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 8, 2019