Ferdinand names a surprise defensive partner for Maguire

The former Red Devils center-back believes the solution for somebody to partner Maguire in the defensive is already at their beck and call.

Remember Eric Bailly? The Ivorian has been around for over four years, but Rio Ferdinand feels he ‘gone under the radar’ just as Manchester United need a new center-back partner for Harry Maguire.

Bailly has started in all three of the club’s last three Premier League games. He’s overcome a muscle injury from earlier in the season and has impressed in the Old Trafford defense alongside Maguire.

The former Villarreal defender has had more than his fair share of injury setbacks since his €38m arrival in 2016, limiting him to just 93 appearances in all competitions. Therefore, Victor Lindelof has been Maguire’s regular partner.

Although Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly searching for an alternative to the Swede, with Sevilla’s Jules Kounde on his shortlist of targets.

But it turns out the Red Devils boss may not need to splash out on any expensive signings if Bailly can keep up his fitness.

“A big thing that has gone under the radar is Eric Bailly,” said Ferdinand on his YouTube channel FIVE.

“He’s added a little bit of pace and steeliness to that back four. My only issue with Eric Bailly has always been his fitness, he can never stay fit.

“He’s always injured or a game away from an injury, and that’s a problem. You don’t get that consistency of performance or get to know each other.

“I think Maguire needs pace next to him, he has other attributes but pace isn’t one of them. In the modern game, to have two center-backs who aren’t electric quick, you’ve got a problem.

“Bailly has good attributes, he’s quick and aggressive. If he can cut the silly mistakes out which he had previously and gets away from injuries and gets a clean bill of health, I think Manchester United are onto a good thing.”