Sometimes all it takes is one moment to make you realise what you’re missing.
When Manchester United signed Alexis Sanchez from under the nose of their city rivals, fans of the Red Devils were ebullient about the team’s prospects.
Here was another addition to what is – on paper at least – one of the Premier League’s most exciting attacks which, combined with the league’s best defence, left supporters pretty happy with their lot.
Fast forward 11 seconds into United’s match with Tottenham Hotspur last night, and things were not quite so rosy anymore.
Mourinho’s side had come into the game with four consecutive clean sheets in the league, but less than a quarter of a minute into their first match against a top four side since December 10, their defence was found out.
And like clockwork, there was just one man fans were calling out for: Eric Bailly.
Almost in unison, United supporters were calling out for the Ivorian, who has been out of the side with an ankle injury since November.
Christ we miss Bailly more than anyone.
— Jonathan 🇾🇪🏴 (@jonmikesav8) January 31, 2018
Bailly is a huge miss. Both on the ball and off it.
I can't stand Smalling telegraphing every single pass with that overt gangly turn that he does.
— Adam Sweeney (@AdamWSweeney) January 31, 2018
When is Bailly back?
— Scott Patterson (@R_o_M) January 31, 2018
https://twitter.com/ffsmatic_/status/958958398699077637
Smalling don tire me. When is Bailly coming back?
— Ovie (@OvieO) January 31, 2018
While Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have kept things at bay for the majority of Bailly’s time out, it was abundantly clear that United were calling out for his presence at Wembley. It also suggested that, in the long term, they need another centre-back to lighten the load.
Really miss Eric Bailly. Also really concerned how often we’ve missed Eric Bailly in the eighteen months he’s been a United player. Just one commanding centre-back who isn’t made of balsa wood, that’s all I ask.
— Nick (@ManUnitedYouth) January 31, 2018
https://twitter.com/utdxtra/status/958799673124376583
https://twitter.com/YorkieRed_Jojo/status/959050094975836162
Unsure why Ashley Young started over Luke Shaw. Chris Smalling shouldn’t be starting for Manchester United. Eric Bailly is such a huge miss.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) January 31, 2018
I miss Bailly. Never leave us @ericbailly24
— MF. AWESOME (@kny3s3gnu) February 1, 2018
https://twitter.com/tammygaby/status/958802092218560512
https://twitter.com/IconicBailly/status/958904255196299265
So much
— dr.shaah (@1drshaah) January 31, 2018
Thankfully for United fans, Bailly is set to return to the side ahead of their Champions League tie with Sevilla on February 21. Whether supporters can wait that long remains to be seen.
