Bailly Thanks Boss For Smooth Integration

Eric Bailly has thanked Jose Mourinho for his smooth integration into life at Manchester United and expressed his surprise at how quickly he forced his way into the side.

The Ivory Coast international started the season in outstanding form and, following an injury setback and Africa Cup of Nations duty with his country, looked back to his best in last weekend's win over Watford.

The summer signing from Villarreal believes his early impression in the Premier League has helped him secure a spot at centre-back on his return from the international tournament in Gabon.

"Whether you've been away at the Africa Cup of Nations or not, it's always difficult getting into this starting XI," he said ahead of Thursday's Europa League tie with Saint-Etienne. "It's a really strong side and a really strong squad. 

"What has been beneficial is that I was fortunate right at the start of the season to get plenty of game time so that has helped me, it has helped me grow as a player and get used to the league here. So that's been beneficial to me and that's one of the reasons why I've been playing now. But you never take it for granted. It's always tough getting in that starting XI."

Bailly thanked the work that goes on behind the scenes in helping him adapt to the rigours of the English top flight.

"I suppose one surprise was getting into the team so quickly," he admitted. "But what I've had from day one and, what I'm really grateful for, is the excellent work of the backroom staff, the coaches, the fitness coaches and I've enjoyed the confidence and the backing of the manager as well. Those are the factors that have really helped me settle in.

"What I've found different to any other manager I've had in my career is the time he takes and the time he spends with you individually. He's shown me videos where he's looked at game situations that have happened that involved myself or the defence in general. 

"He's taken the time to talk me through stuff. We've had chats about how to approach games tactically. It's something that's been really helpful for me. What I've tried to do is put into practice and work on what he's been telling me. And I think that's something that has really helped me. His experience is something that he's been able to pass on to me by means of looking at clips from matches and stuff.

"I'm really pleased by the fact I've managed to start playing so quickly and that this settling-in period has gone so relatively smoothly," he continued. "As I said, it's down to that welcome and I'm really pleased with the fact that I'm such a young player and I've managed to find my way into the side and earn the respect and the support of the older players, the experienced and veteran players within the club."

The visit of Saint-Etienne kicks off a packed spell of games but Bailly is ready for the challenge.

"It's not something I've had experience of because at Villarreal we didn't have such a busy fixture calendar," he said. "But certainly, before I came here, I knew that this league was different. There were extra cup competitions and matches can build up. But as I say, it was something I was aware of before I came here and the way we do it, the way we cope with it, is by focusing on the next encounter, the next match.

"All we have on our minds at the moment is tomorrow [Thursday] night, trying to get a victory and then moving on to the next game at the weekend."