Manchester United defender pictured with new club's scarf ahead of loan exit

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly has been pictured in Marseille on Wednesday morning ahead of his imminent loan exit.

The Ivorian defender has been deemed surplus to requirements by Erik ten Hag and was granted permission to move to the Ligue 1 side on loan for the duration of the current season.

United have agreed a deal with the French side that will see them pay the entirety of his wages while he is at the club, as well as paying a loan fee to secure his signature in the first place.

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It is understood Marseille will also include an obligation to buy Bailly at the end of the loan spell if they qualify for the Champions League and the United defender features in a set number of games.

Bailly, 28, is set to undergo his medical on Wednesday and he has been pictured arriving in the French city, where he posed with a supporter holding a club scarf.

United bought Bailly from Villarreal for £30million in 2016 and he enjoyed an impressive debut season.

However, the Ivory Coast international has been injury-prone and managed 113 games across six seasons - an average of under 20 appearances per campaign.

United have been widely criticised for rewarding Bailly with a new contract in April 2021 when his previous deal was due to expire in June 2022 and they intended on signing Raphael Varane.

Bailly only signed a renewal until 2024 with the option of an additional year and the club’s generosity in negotiating contracts with fringe players has been blamed on former executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

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