Manchester United

Eric Bailly: 'Jose Mourinho like a father figure'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 09 September 2016

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly brands Jose Mourinho 'a father figure' and says that it is "a pleasure" to work under the Portuguese.

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly has branded Jose Mourinho 'a father figure' at Old Trafford.

Bailly was Mourinho's first signing as Man United boss, with the Ivorian arriving from Villarreal in the summer.

The centre-back has impressed during the early stages of his Red Devils career and the 22-year-old, who is expected to sample his first Manchester derby this weekend, has revealed that Mourinho 'treats him like a son'.

"Jose has taken me under his wing, almost like a son, as he does with other players as well," Bailly told United Review. "It's a pleasure to be here, working with him and learning from him and I have to take advantage over the course of the years from all his experience.

"I am very lucky to have that chance and my future time here is going to be a great footballing experience."

Man United will welcome Manchester City to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon in a match that will see Mourinho and Pep Guardiola lock horns for the first time since they went head to head in Spain.