Manchester United defender Eric Bailly breaks silence after completing loan move to Marseille

Eric Bailly has said goodbye to Manchester United fans after he completed a season-long loan move to French side Marseille.

The 28-year-old, who has not featured for the United since last December when he played in the Premier League win over Burnley, signed for United in 2016.

With the arrival of Lisandro Martinez from Ajax this summer, Bailly fell down the pecking order at Old Trafford and he has yet to make an appearance in a competitive game this season.

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The defender hasn't even been named in any of United's three matchday squads in the Premier League this campaign, with Martinez and Raphael Varane starting in the heart of defence in the 2-1 win over Liverpool on Monday night.

Marseille will cover the full amount of Bailly's wages during the arrangement and there is also a €6million obligation for them to buy him next summer subject to a certain number of appearances being made as well as the club qualifying for the Champions League.

After his move to the Ligue 1 side was announced, the Ivorian posted a goodbye message to United on his Instagram account. Alongside a photo of himself walking out onto the pitch at Old Trafford, he wrote: "From the bottom of my heart, thank you United!"

He also posted a message to Marseille fans, writing: "I'm happy and I can't wait to start this new adventure at the @OlympiquedeMarseille! A big season ahead!"

Bailly's contract at Old Trafford runs until the summer of 2024 with the club holding the option of a further year. The extension was agreed in April 2021 but since then he has only featured 13 times for United. The Ivorian was the first signing of a summer which saw Jose Mourinho add Henrikh