With voting underway to decide Manchester United’s player of the season, Eric Bailly has named the two teammates that he feels deserve to win.
Fans will decide the recipient of the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year Award over the next few days. The club’s official poll closes at the weekend.
Previous winners include club legends like David Beckham, Roy Keane, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, while Bruno Fernandes took the accolade last season.
With 27 goals in all competitions this term, it would be no surprise if Fernandes won it two seasons running. David de Gea is the only player to have won the award in three consecutive years.
Edinson Cavani will also be among the favourites, having found his form at just the right time and fired United to the Europa League final. Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire could be in with a shout after numerous influential performances between them.
Bailly hasn’t gone for any of the main contenders, however. He has given his backing to two players who – certainly compared to Fernandes or Cavani – are unsung heroes.
Interviewed for United’s matchday programme ahead of their game against Leicester, he said: “It’s very hard to say one player, but for me, if I have to choose, then I choose two players: Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw. For me they deserve it, that’s just my opinion.
“Then also we have Harry [Maguire], Fred, Scott [McTominay]... I could say so many names! So I keep with Aaron and Luke.”
Wan-Bissaka has been almost ever-present for United at right-back this season, racking up 51 appearances and scoring twice. Shaw has 45 appearances and one goal to his name, but both have been core components of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s defence.
Asked why he would pick Wan-Bissaka and Shaw ahead of Fernandes, for instance, he said: “For me, these two are the best right-back and best left-back in the league.
“When I see Luke playing at this level, I am so happy because he has had some difficult times before this.
“Now he is very happy and is playing every game and playing well. He is back playing for his national team too.
“It’s the same with Aaron. The guy is young, playing every game and giving his best. They have helped our team be strong.
“They are two young guys who are both focused on giving everything to the team. I’m so, so happy for these two.”
Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip.
