Eric Bailly, Manchester United defender, revealed that Marcus Rashford was his favourite player while Anthony Martial impressed him most.
Bailly – who joined Manchester United in 2016 – is currently on a season-long loan at French Ligue 1 side Marseille but still reserves plenty of praise for his Old Trafford teammates.
The Ivorian has had the fortune of playing alongside some of world football’s biggest names including Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic but it was United’s two young attackers that left a mark on him.
In particular, Rashford was the standout performer for Bailly, who revealed the England international ‘blew’ him away.
“I knew a lot of great players in Manchester. But if I have to talk about everyone who impressed me, we’re never going to finish this interview,” Bailly told L’Equipe.
“There was incredible talent, both old and young. Marcus Rashford was truly a revelation. Anthony Martial too.”
After a difficult couple of years, Eric ten Hag has given the pair a promising start for the season.
Rashford has been a Red Devils player three times, while Martial has been a Red Devils player three times, including two in the Manchester derby.
Martial was loaned to Sevilla by Rashford last season. Rashford was heavily linked to a new challenge at Paris Saint-Germain this August.
Both stayed at Old Trafford. United are enjoying the improved form of both, although Martial continues to suffer from injury.
Ten Hag has offered all his attackers a clean slate with Rashford, Martial and Ronaldo preferred to Ronaldo. Ronaldo has had his game time limited to Europa League ties or substitute appearances.
Ronaldo came off the bench to fire his 700th league goal in last Sunday’s 2-1 win at Everton.
Martial was replaced by the Portuguese star in the 29th minutes, but it took him only 15 minutes for Goodison Park to win the match.
While United have shown snippets of promise and at times, and a new defensive solidity that was missing last season, it appears that Bailly’s story has been written at the club.
Marseille’s deal includes an obligation to buy the Ivorian at the end of his loan spell at the Stade Velodrome.
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