Ivory Coast center-back Eric Bailly left Premier League giants Manchester United to join Turkish Süper Lig club Besiktas. After six seasons at Old Trafford and one full-season loan at the French club Marseille, Bailly finally said goodbye to the English club. 

In the summer of 2016, Eric Bailly signed for Manchester United. The Premier League giants reportedly spent around $37 million to sign him from Villarreal. It was Manchester United’s first signing under Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho.

Bailly shined in his first season but his injury problems forced him to stay on the sidelines for the last few years. His robust defensive style and confidence on the ball were tragically juxtaposed by his inability to stay fit.

After a tough 2021-22 season where he did not play any matches for the side, Bailly spent a full-season loan at the French Ligue 1 side Marseille to bring his career back on track. For the French club, he appeared in 23 games. 

Although Bailly signed a new contract with the Red Devils in April 2021, he was never part of the present manager’s plan. The Ivorian still had one year left in the contract, and his reported salary was almost $100,000 per week. 

In an attempt to gain some game time, he decided to end the contract prematurely to make himself available for the free transfer. Marseille and Fulham were reportedly interested in signing him.

However, the Turkish Süper Lig club Besiktas ultimately signed him officially on Tuesday (September 5). He has reportedly signed a one-year deal with the Turkish club. However, Bailly’s salary at the new Turkish club is still unknown. 

Eric Bailly’s performance at Manchester United

Eric Bailly made his Manchester United debut during the FA Community Shield 2016 match against Leicester City. United won that game 2-1 and Bailly won Player of the Match.

Bailly had a key role in United’s EFL Cup and UEFA Europa League trophy-winning journeys in the 2016–17 season. Despite missing the UEL Final in 2016–17 due to suspension, he was named in the UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season in 2016–17. His dominant defensive play impressed the soccer world.

After signing his new contract in April 2021, the Ivorian appeared for United in only 13 matches. Bailly last time appeared in the Manchester United jersey on December 30, 2021, against Burnley where United won 3-1.

The 29-year-old appeared in 113 matches for the Red Devils. In August 2017, he scored his only goal for the English club (against Swansea City).