Manchester United’s on-loan defender Eric Bailly handed seven-game ban after horror tackle for Marseille
Manchester United’s on-loan defender Eric Bailly has been given a seven-game ban after a horror tackle in Marseille’s Coupe de France match earlier this month.
The 28-year-old was sent off in the 15th minute of Marseille’s 2-0 win after he studded Hyeres midfielder Almike Moussa N’Diaye in the chest.
N’Diaye was rushed to hospital and put in intensive care as a precaution, while Hyeres president Mourad Boudjellal revealed that the midfielder was suffering from ‘lung and liver pain’.
Bailly visited the 26-year-old in hospital two days later, with the midfielder also suffering from broken ribs.
The Ivory Coast international has already missed Marseille’s wins over Troyes and Lorient in Ligue 1 but he will now be banned for a further five matches.
Bailly is due to return for Marseille’s Ligue 1 match against Toulouse on February 19 – a week before they play league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
Bailly joined Marseille in the closing stages of the summer transfer window last August but has started just three games in Ligue 1 during his time in France.
Speaking in September, Bailly accused United of favouring English players having previously indicated on social media that he was unhappy about Harry Maguire playing ahead of him.
‘The club should avoid favouring English players and give everyone a chance,’ Bailly told The Times.
‘[The club should] encourage competition in the dressing room, not just look out for some. I’ve always had the feeling that the national player was prioritised.
‘That doesn’t happen at Chelsea or other big Premier League clubs. Some people take it for granted that they are going to start, and that weakens the team. Luckily [Erik] Ten Hag has a lot of character and I hope he can change that dynamic.
‘I met Erik Ten Hag in the dressing room at the end of last season when he went to sign his contract.
‘I was packing my things because my intention was to leave, but he told me he wanted me to stay because he was going to give minutes to everyone.
‘I agreed to do the summer tour with United, and he kept his word, but I don’t want to play every now and then. I want to do it every week and feel important. I want to get my confidence back.’
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