Fans are our extra man, says Manchester United defender Bailly
Manchester United defender Eric Bailly has lauded the Old Trafford faithful as the team’s ‘12th player’ ahead of their last 16 Europa League clash with FC Rostov on Thursday.
The Reds drew 1-1 in Russia last week, with Bailly suspended for the game after being dismissed against French outfit St Etienne in the previous round.
The 22-year-old Ivory Coast international, who joined United last summer for £30 million, was an unused substitute in United’s 1-0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Chelsea on Monday.
Photo by Kieran Galvin/NurPhoto via Getty Images
And the young defender is determined to help Jose Mourinho’s side go all the way in the Europa League, and has hailed the club’s supporters as a major factor in their success.
“At Old Trafford, the fans are like the ’12th player’,” he said. “They always give everything until they are hoarse to get behind us and give us a lift.
“It’s great that the tie will be decided at home and we can do our utmost to get the victory needed and send the fans home happy.
“As I’ve said before, this competition brings plenty of surprises in a season so, first of all, we have to focus on getting through against Rostov and then we can think a little further ahead after that.”
