Eric Bailly turned into prime Yaya Toure with an insane lung-busting run in Manchester United's 4-0 pre-season friendly thrashing of Liverpool.
The pair met in a friendly fixture at the Rajamangala National Stadium, with the 'Bangkok Century Cup' up for grabs in both sides' first pre-season outing.
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And it was United who ran riot thanks to goals from Jadon Sancho, Fred, Anthony Martial and Facundo Pellistri - the result giving new manager Erik ten Hag a winning start in his first game in charge.
Bailly was a second half substitute for United with the score 3-0 and churned in an imperious display, making a series of stellar defensive contributions to preserve the clean sheet.
But the Ivorian defender's best work came when he rinsed Thiago Alcantara with some insane stepovers as part of a crazy maraud up the length of the pitch.
Pellistri goal vs Liverpool (4-0) #mufc
— United Goals ⚽️ (@UnitedGoals__) July 12, 2022
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pic.twitter.com/MARb3Y6xxX
ERIC BAILLY SENDS THIAGO TO THE SHOPS AND AMAD GETS HIS ASSIST AS PELLISTRI SLOTS IT IN THE BOTTOM CORNER! 4-0! pic.twitter.com/AGQ3bkTNUL
— 𝗧𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗴’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘀 ✍🏼🇳🇱 (@TenHagBalI) July 12, 2022
Bailly had regained possession with a vital interception on the edge of his own box and just kept galloping. He fed Palistri, who received the ball back from Amad Diallo and slotted home in off the post.
It was all about Bailly's brilliant work and he even ran off celebrating as though he had scored the goal.
Eric Bailly 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ChkexMy8Aw
— Manchester United (@MUnitedFR) July 12, 2022
Bailly is one of the most entertaining footballers in the world thanks to his ridiculous antics that range from no-look penalties to filthy skills and flying kicks.
And fans could not get enough of his latest bit of madness:
Just so it’s recorded for public record, Manchester United have just scored a goal on the counter-attack started by Eric Bailly doing two stepovers and running the length of the pitch.
— Chris Winterburn (@cmwinterburn) July 12, 2022
Eric Bailly with the most Eric Bailly 45' ever. Mr. Last Ditch in his absolute pomp. Diving in front of everything, desperate headers, on the floor clutching his extremities before bouncing back up and throwing himself at a Darwin shot. Impeccable 👏
— Sam Tighe - Ranks FC Podcast (@stighefootball) July 12, 2022
Eric Bailly today #MUFC #MUNLIV pic.twitter.com/rdhQqZkIDv
— 🔴⚪️⚫️ (@SAF_Football) July 12, 2022
Eric Bailly never fails to entertain 😭 https://t.co/ddpPfuG88w
— Aidan Walsh 🔰 (@AidanWalshMUFC) July 12, 2022
Eric Bailly. Give him the armband. Build him a statue.
— Ryan (@Itshaber) July 12, 2022
Out of context Eric Bailly.
— TJ (@UtdTalha) July 12, 2022
pic.twitter.com/zS9EyMzPTo
Eric Bailly man, I know it’s a friendly but if this guy could only stay fit…😅
— WHF!🇾🇪 (@UtdWesleyy) July 12, 2022
Eric Bailly is a different breed #MUFC #MUTOUR22 pic.twitter.com/LNv6wXzJPd
— Alfie🔰 (@voidMUFC) July 12, 2022
The next game of United's tour will see them travel to Australia to play against A-League side against Melbourne Victory, who have just signed former winger Nani.
Attentions turn to Premier League opposition Crystal Palace and Aston Villa before United come up against two Spanish sides in consecutive days when they meet Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano on 30 and 31 July respectively.
The Rayo clash will be Ten Hag's first at Old Trafford and the final warm-up for the new campaign.
Featured Image Credit: Image: MUTV
Topics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Eric Bailly, Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp
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