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United defender Eric Bailly has revealed that Jose Mourinho convinced
him to snub Manchester City for the red half of town.
The Côte d’Ivoire international is preparing for Thursday’s Manchester derby at the Emirates Stadium, and he could well have been lining up for the other side.
"Before I came to Man United, it was City who had been watching me," Bailly told The Daily Mirror. "In my mind, I was going there. But then everything changed.
"I was in the Ivory Coast, I got called from a Portuguese number, he introduced himself but I just didn't believe it at first.
"It felt like Mourinho was the one who really wanted me. He showed more interest, he rang me and that's why I'm at Man United.
"Man City contacted my agent, Barcelona as well were talking to my agent, but they weren't as interested in me as Mourinho. He really pushed for the move."
Bailly will be an integral part of the United team for the rest of the campaign as Mourinho’s other centre-backs; Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling, and Phil Jones; are all out injured.
Bailly put in an assured performance in a 0-0 draw against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday evening that see's both teams remain in the running for a Champions League spot.
