Bruno Fernandes makes surprising admission on Manchester United defender Eric Bailly

Bruno Fernandes believes Eric Bailly is one of the best he has seen at blocking shots and feels his Manchester United team-mate is a 'great defender' amid his potential impending departure this summer.

Bailly has a year left on his deal at Old Trafford and is among several players within Erik ten Hag's squad who could move on to pastures new in the coming months. His deal at United runs out in the summer of 2024, though the club has the option of an extra 12 months.

The 29-year-old central defender spent the 2022/23 season away from United at French side Marseille. He made 23 appearances for Ligue 1 outfit and Marseille opted against taking the Ivorian on a permanent basis this summer.

United have agreed a deal with Chelsea to sign Mason Mount for £60m. More business is being sought this summer, including signing a goalkeeper and a striker, but United need to sell players to help fund more deals and Bailly falls into that bracket.

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Bailly arrived at United in the summer of 2016 from Villarreal for £30m under Jose Mourinho. He has gone on to make more than 100 appearances for the club, but is firmly down the pecking order in the heart of defence and is expected to depart this summer.

Fernandes has been a team-mate with Bailly since the Portuguese star joined the club in January 2020 from Sporting Lisbon. The midfielder holds the defender in high regard.

Taking to his Instagram account to speak about real-life talent stock market company Royaltiz, Fernandes picked Bailly as one of three players he would invest in. He believes the Ivorian is a 'great' defender and dubbed Bailly as one of the best he has seen at blocking