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ERIC BAILLY has aimed a dig at Jose Mourinho by claiming successor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer understands Manchester United’s players better.
Old Trafford legend Solskjaer replaced Mourinho at the club in December 2018.
And despite still lacking consistency in results, few can argue against the fact he has brought a feel-good factor back to the Theatre of Dreams.
The mood contrasts starkly with Mourinho’s time in charge, with player relationships and results on the pitch at a new low.
United are now in the hunt for a top four finish, despite the Premier League being halted by coronavirus.
And Bailly believes it’s Solskjaer’s way with the players which has turned United’s fortunes around.
Bailly told ESPN: “It’s important being able to work with someone who is a former player.
“Someone who understands the players’ situations, understands all the things that can happen from time to time.
“Because football is not just played on the pitch, it’s also about all the things that go on around the game, the things that people don’t see.
“And he is someone that gets that and it helps the team a lot. Besides being a coach, he’s just a normal person.
“I would say like an uncle, and having someone like that in the club gives the players more strength.
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“He’s someone that will always talk to you, he always communicates well.
“He gives you so much confidence because as a footballer you go through moments where you feel low and he can read that and when he sees that he immediately comes over to you and talks.
“He offers advice so that you can regain confidence and for me, that’s so important because we have a very young team and if we have a coach like that the team will go from strength to strength.”