Bailly Wary Of Former Team-mate

Eric Bailly has highlighted his former Espanyol team-mate Pizzi as a key threat for Benfica ahead of their Champions League visit to Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

Benfica loaned Pizzi to the Barcelona-based club for the 2013/14 season, while Bailly was making his way through the ranks at the Cornella-El Prat. The central midfielder scored three times in a league campaign in which the club finished in 14th position.

An injury to Bailly prevented a reunion between the two when Manchester United secured a 1-0 win in Lisbon two weeks ago but, after his return to action in Saturday’s victory against Tottenham Hotspur, the Ivory Coast man will be one of the players tasked with keeping the Portugal international quiet.

Asked by reporters who he thought the Eagles’ most dangerous player was, Bailly said: "There are various players but, in my mind in particular, Pizzi, because he played at Espanyol with me. But they have a lot of young players with a lot of quality.

"We have to be aware because Benfica won’t just come here to play a weak part in this match, but for us the important thing is to carry on and that’s what we are aiming for."

Bailly was also asked about one of the talents he currently plays alongside – Romelu Lukaku, who he faced when Everton visited Old Trafford in April.

"Romelu is an excellent player and I’ve played against him, but now I’m quite fortunate to be playing in the same team," said Bailly of the man with 11 goals to his name this season.

"Every player knows what Romelu is and he’s playing well, he’s scoring goals and the most important thing is that he carries on doing his job like a good centre-forward."

Benfica are the only team in Group A against whom Lukaku has not scored and he will look to alter that as United seek a fourth straight win on Tuesday.