Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho insists there is no rift with Eric Bailly and that he is victim of Ivory Coast’s failure to reach World Cup
Old Trafford chief lifts lid on reason why Ivory Coast star has not started a game since the Manchester derby on April 7
JOSE MOURINHO claims Eric Bailly has fallen victim of Ivory Coast’s failure to reach the World Cup.
Bailly has not started a game since the Manchester derby on April 7 and hasn’t been in the last two squads.
But Mourinho claims he is showcasing his other centre-backs to make sure they get into their national squads for Russia.
Mourinho said: “There's no situation, he is 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, but he's the only central defender whose country is not in the World Cup.
“So if I have to make a kind of more emotional effective choice to help my players he's the one I'm not going to help.
“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 to be a good team manager and that means 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 am giving less to Eric.”
ELEPHANTS ARE OUT Ivory Coast fail to qualify for World Cup
Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are battling to be in Gareth Southgate’s squad and likewise Marcos Rojo with Argentina.
Victor Lindelof’s place is more certain with Sweden this summer.
Two players who will definitely not be going are Matteo Darmian with Italy and Daley Blind of Holland with both countries having failed to qualify.
Mind you they can’t even get in the Manchester United team having made just six league starts between them all season.
They look to be on their way out this summer yet Mourinho claims he does not want them to go.
Mourinho said: “They are part of my plans.
“I think when a player wants to go if that's the case and when the right offers arrive in the club we study that because we always try to have the players happy, so if happiness means for them to leave let's see what happens but they are in my plans I don't want to sell I want to keep.”
Mourinho also remains positive about Marouane Fellaini signing a new deal despite the player claiming he is open to offers to leave when his contract runs out at the end of the season.
Mourinho said: “I'm still positive. He's important, he's a player that I like.
“He has a different position in relation to other players with contract because we can control other players' destiny in another way, in Marouane's case the destiny is in his hands.
“He knows I want him to stay, the club wants him to stay, he has an offer from us and it's up to him, yes or no.
“I am still positive as he likes to be here, he likes the feeling of the manager trusting him and I think there is a good chance for him to stay but if he leaves so be it.”