Manchester United defender Eric Bailly (L) showed an impressive display against Leicester
MANCHESTER, United Kingdom, Sep 27 – Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic has backed defender Eric Bailly to play a big part at Old Trafford for “many years” to come.
The Ivory Coast international cost United in the region of £30million and became new manager Jose Mourinho’s first signing at the club.
Spectators and pundits have been drawing comparisons between the 22-year-old and Vidic, who announced his retirement earlier this year after a couple of seasons at Inter Milan.
And Vidic has been impressed with what he has seen so far from the centre-back and reckons he will only continue to do well with the Red Devils.
“If he keeps going as he is, he will definitely have a great career at United,” he said.
“Of course, I’m glad that someone compares him to me and I hope he will be a player who does very well for us. He’s strong and composed with the ball.
“He’s a very confident player. He has a bit of everything. What I have seen in the first few matches is that we have a great player for the future and a player I would say we needed.
“He reads the game well. He already looks a big signing for us. I think he’s already popular with the fans. Of the signings we’ve had this year, I think he’s the one that has surprised everyone the most.
“He’s 22-years-old and he went straight into the club and looks at home straight away. That’s outstanding for me.
“We know how many players come to England and need time to adapt and that, for me, is what is so impressive – he’s 22 and he has adapted straight away and showed some confidence which is important.”
Vidic thinks Bailly’s shaky performances against Manchester City and Watford will only be a blip as he continues to learn and improve at Old Trafford.
“The most important thing for a player of his age is to keep his feet on the ground,” Vidic added.
“The first few matches he really performed well and had so many compliments from everyone, but it’s important to stay calm, keep doing what he was doing before and keep improving.
“If he continues to play like he does and stays focused, he can be here for many years and help the team be successful.”
