Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has admitted that Eric Bailly's impressive second-half performance against Liverpool in Bangkok on Tuesday has not given him a selection headache.
The Ivory Coast international, who has expressed his desire to leave Old Trafford this summer, stepped off the bench at half-time against Jurgen Klopp's side and produced an excellent display. Winning almost everything defensively, he also played a key role in United's fourth goal, sparking the counter-attack with an excellent piece of skill and a willing run, eventually resulting in Facundo Pellistri scoring from close range.
It was the centre-back's first appearance for United in 2022, last playing for the club in the 3-1 win over Burnley at Old Trafford back in December. He is considered fourth in the pecking order for a place at centre-back, with Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof all ahead of him.
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However, his showing on Tuesday, albeit in a friendly against a much-changed Liverpool side, will offer him encouragement that he might still have a part to play at Old Trafford under Ten Hag this season. United do want to sign another centre-back, with Ajax ace Lisandro Martinez topping their wish list.
But although the prospect of Martinez being added to the squad could push Bailly even further down the pecking order, Ten Hag is happy to have strong competition for places. He also wants to continue pushing his squad to get even more out of them.
"No, it doesn't give me a headache," said Ten Hag, speaking to the media ahead of Friday's friendly against Melbourne Victory. "I am happy. We need a full squad with a lot of competition because there are lot of games.
"In the middle [of the season] there is a World Cup. We need a full squad with a lot of competition between the players. We need to push them to a higher level."
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