Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says he has not included Eric Bailly in recent matchday squads because the Ivory Coast international is not going to the World Cup.
Mourinho has preferred a partnership of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling in recent weeks, both of whom will be hoping to go to the World Cup finals with England this summer.
“There’s no situation. He’s fine, no injury, he is one of our five central defenders and honestly my work is not about World Cups and preparing players for the World Cup or giving chances to players at the World Cup,” Mourinho said in a press conference, according to the Mirror.
“Rojo, Lindelof, Jones, Smalling, all of them are wishing to make the squad for the World Cup and Eric is not under that pressure.
“I try not to [make those sentimental decisions], I try to be a good team manager and that means being a bit cold, a bit selfish but I’m not as bad as that and I still have space for a little bit of feelings.
“So when I look to the other four central defenders fighting for a position in the World Cup, I’m giving less to Eric.”
Does Bailly deserve to start?
Statistically, Bailly hasn’t been up to scratch compared to some of United’s other centre-backs this term, as illustrated by the graphic above.
What’s more, Bailly has made fewer blocks per 90 minutes (0.59) than all of his centre-backs teammates, while only Lindelof (5.02) has produced fewer clearances per 90 minutes than Bailly (5.64).
United next taken on Brighton away in the league on Friday.
