Eric Bailly warned by Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick over Harry Maguire Instagram post

Ralf Rangnick said Eric Bailly's open undermining of Manchester United captain Harry Maguire 'should not happen in a football club' at any level.

An Instagram user responded to a post on the official United account demanding, "Start Eric Bailly x Varane". Bailly replied by commenting 'please' with a laughing and praying emoji.

Bailly's disapproval of Maguire's privileges at United is one of the worst-kept secrets in the dressing room and the Cote d'Ivoire international did not start in the back three at Liverpool, despite Raphael Varane's absence through injury.

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Bailly, 27, has played seven times for United this season and Phil Jones, who has started two games in the last two years, is ahead of him in the centre-back pecking order.

Rangnick was unaware of Bailly's social media post when asked about Bailly's conduct and was briefed on it by the United press officer as he left his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon.

"I’m not on Instagram," Rangnick stressed. "Listen, I'm not talking about my players in the press conference not knowing what has happened, it doesn’t make sense. I can only tell you, never in my life will I be part of Instagram.

"If it’s true what you told me that should not happen in a football club no matter in which league."

United are open to selling Bailly, who effectively issued an ultimatum to former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that he start in the Europa League final otherwise he would seek a transfer.

The brittle star joined United from Villarreal for £30million in 2016 but has appeared a pitiful 113 times for the club. Bruno Fernandes, who joined United three-and-a-half years later than Bailly, has played more times.