Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has urged patience with new recruit Eric Bailly, saying the defender will take time to adapt to the demands of the Premier League following his move from Spain.
Bailly, Mourinho’s first signing since he took over from Louis van Gaal, put on an impressive display for United as the visitors beat Wigan 2-0 in a friendly on Saturday.
Bailly, 22, was part of a Villarreal defence that conceded just 35 goals in 38 league matches last season.
“He’s a very young boy coming from a completely different environment, but you could see what he is at this moment,” Mourinho said.
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“This was the first time he has worn a shirt like the Manchester United shirt. He can’t speak English and can only communicate with the ones who are French-speakers or Spanish.
“I wanted to give him more minutes because he needs to play more than others. He needs to feel it and start communicating.”
Mourinho, the former Chelsea manager, also likened the Ivory Coast international to defender Raphael Varane, whom he coached at Real Madrid.
“I will give him everything to try to make him better and better, like I did with other central defenders I’ve had in my hands,” Mourinho said.
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