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Cape Town - Eric Bailly has revealed that he chose to sign for Manchester United, instead of rivals Manchester City, because of manager Jose Mourinho.
The Ivory Coast international joined the Red Devils earlier during the off-season for a fee of £30 million from Spanish side Villarreal.
Bailly confirmed that he spoke to international colleagues Didier Drogba and City midfielder Yaya Toure, and decided to sign for United after the former told him what Mourinho is all about.
Drogba became a Chelsea legend, winning multiple trophies, after being signed by Mourinho for the Blues from Marseille in 2004.
"I signed for United because I like Mourinho, as simple as that," the 22-year-old defender told the Sunday Times.
"I wanted to play for someone who works very hard. I didn't speak to Pep Guardiola but the 'second' manager called me and Mourinho called me as well. He said come and play for me.
"I prefer Mourinho, in part because of Didier Drogba, who Mourinho worked with. I have played with Didier in the Ivory Coast, he is a friend and he told me, 'Jose did this for me, Jose did that for me'.
"Yaya [Toure] also called me and said come to City. But once Jose spoke to me and Didier gave me advice, I knew straight away I wanted to play for him."
