Eric Bailly set to return to Man Utd with 'Marseille ready to turn down permanent deal'

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly looks set to return to Old Trafford this summer, following an unsuccessful loan spell at Marseille.

Bailly was signed by Jose Mourinho for a fee of £30m in 2016, but he has struggled to live up to expectations in Manchester.

Since Mourinho's departure two years later, Bailly has slipped down the pecking order behind both Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.

While he only managed 217 Premier League minutes last season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick respectively - a telling statistic.

Consequently, Erik ten Hag decided to ship him out on loan to Marseille, where the 29-year-old has also struggled to make an impression, having started just three league games for the French side this term.

As a result, head coach Igor Tudor has decided against signing him on a permanent basis.

Bailly set for Man Utd return

Marseille reportedly had the option to sign Bailly for just £5 million, but have turned down the offer, paving the way for the Ivory Coast international to return to Old Trafford.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news on Tuesday, tweeting: "Understand Olympique Marseille will not trigger the buy option to sign Eric Bailly on a permanent deal — he will return to Manchester United.

“Been told Bailly will be available on the market as Man United are prepared to let him go.”

One of the issues facing Ten Hag is Bailly's eye-watering wage, with the player's contract not due to expire until next year.

Bailly is thought to earn £80,000 per-week at the club, with the United boss eager to get him off their wage bill as soon as possible.

Although whether any clubs are willing to meet his demands remains to be seen, with the defender expected to be available at for cut-price deal this summer.