MANCHESTER UNITED have put contract talks with unsettled Eric Bailly on hold during the international break.
The Sun revealed the Ivory Coast star is fed-up at falling behind Victor Lindelof in the battle to partner Harry Maguire in central defence.
And the Mirror suggest negotiations on extending Bailly’s deal beyond 2022 have been dragging on even before pausing this week.
Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been linked with a host of new defenders this summer.
And reality is thought to have struck home for Bailly, 26, when he was omitted from United’s last two squads.
Maguire and Lindelof played together in last Thursday’s 1-0 Europa League triumph at AC Milan and last Sunday’s 3-1 FA Cup defeat away to Leicester.
Bailly was not even on the bench, despite seemingly being fully fit.
ESPN suggest the former Villarreal ace’s main worry is Solskjaer bolstering his defensive resources in the next transfer window.
But after his snub at Milan last week, a United insider went further in telling the Sun: “Eric has had enough now.
“He simply doesn’t feel wanted or respected by the manager.
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“Eric doesn’t believe he gets any answers or explanation about the way he is treated and feels he is the easy option to leave out.
“It’s a real shame because Eric always tells us he loves the club and feels the respect of the fans.
“But it’s got to the point this week where he has to think about his future.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
