BAILLY UP FOR CENTRAL DEFENSIVE FIGHT
Eric Bailly is ready to fight for a place at the heart of the Manchester United defence as the Reds prepare to face Bournemouth in the Premier League.
The Ivory Coast international was not part of the squad for the shock 1-0 reverse to West Brom on Sunday, after playing his part in the Manchester derby triumph, and appreciates Jose Mourinho has decisions to make at centre-back with everybody available.
Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones are also vying for a spot after being named among the substitutes at the weekend, with Victor Lindelof and Chris Smalling getting the nod to play against the Baggies.
"It does [give the manager options]," Bailly told MUTV. "It is a good position to be in, to have the defence fully fit and ready. It bodes well for the remaining matches ahead of us. I hope we can remain with a solid defence, as do the others, and we can keep some clean sheets in those games so that we see the season out well.
"I'm fine. I had a few difficult moments with my past injury but I am fully recovered now. I came back fitter and I hope I can take all the playing opportunities that present themselves now."
Bailly made his Premier League debut at the Vitality Stadium and earned the Man of the Match award in a 3-1 victory for the Reds on the opening day of last season.
"They're truly great memories for me, I remember it, but we are in a different moment now," he added. "The team is in good shape and is progressing in the right direction. I hope we can go there to Bournemouth and get the full three points.
"Really it is disappointing, to have put in such a great effort to win the match against City, only then to lose against the lowest-placed team. Yes, it's disappointing for all of us. The thing is to now put that behind us, to forget it, if you like, and focus on the big important match we have ahead of us."
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