Eric Bailly has made a desperate plea on social media to be selected ahead of Harry Maguire for Manchester United’s key game against Arsenal on Saturuday.
The United captain was heavily criticised again in midweek after another poor display in his team’s 4-0 thrashing by Liverpool at Anfied.
Despite his desperate form, Maguire has remained a constant figure at the heart of the club’s defence, with Bailly reduced to a bit-part role.
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Raphael Varane is now back in contention after another injury setback and is almost certain to figure in the must-win game at the Emirates.
Ralf Rangnick must decide between Victor Lindelof, Bailly and Maguire, who could be afforded a rest after he was the subject of a bomb threat on Wednesday.
Speaking ahead of the crucial match, Rangnick said: I haven’t seen him because I only got to know about this terrible, terrible thing yesterday afternoon and since then I haven’t been able to speak with him,’ said Rangnick on Friday.
‘This is another bad sign of the crazy world we’re living in and obviously, I feel very sorry for Harry that he had that terrible experience. He knows that we are all behind him, the club is behind him, everybody, the players, his teammates.
‘It’s sad enough that crazy things like that happen.’
Bailly, meanwhile, is one of a clutch of players who appear destined to leave this summer but he is still keen to be involved in what remains of the current campaign, given his recent social media activity.
Responding to a fan who asked for him to be selected after a post from United’s official account, the former Villarreal defender wrote ‘please’ followed by a prayer symbol emoji.
Bailly has played only once since Rangnick replaced Solskjaer and not at all since his involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
