Manchester United’s Eric Bailly says Jose Mourinho is the best manager in the world

Eric Bailly says Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is the best manager in the world

Eric Bailly insists Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is the best manager in the world and says he wants to stay at Old Trafford for a “long time”.

The 22-year-old has endured a frustratingly stop-start sequence to his United career so far after suffering a knee injury in October's 4-0 loss at Chelsea and has since returned to full training after sustaining a different knee injury in the 2-1 win at Crystal Palace earlier this month.

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Bailly was Mourinho's first signing at United following his £30m summer arrival from Villarreal and revealed that the opportunity to play for the club and work under the Portuguese were key factors in his decision to leave Spain.

Bailly is back in full training after injury problems this season

"He's [Mourinho] a great manager, the best in the world, it is a pleasure to work and learn with him. I hope it continues like this and that I stay at United for a long time," he said.

"I'm truly happy, with my team and my team-mates. Bit by bit, I'm getting to know more."

On Wednesday the Ivory Coast defender was included in his country's provisional squad for the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

Highlights from Manchester United's 3-1 win over Sunderland.

He will be looking to help his side defend their title when the tournament gets underway in mid-January, with their group also including DR Congo, Morocco and Togo.

Influential at the heart of the United defence, Bailly's return from injury could also prove to be pivotal to Mourinho's side's Champions League ambitions next term, and he is keen to play his part in his first season in the Premier League. 

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Bailly played 46 times for Villarreal and has had to quickly get to grips with the different challenges between La Liga and the Premier League, which he accepts are unique in either league.

"From what I see, __football in Spain, they also have a great League. La Liga is the best in the world, but here it is different, very direct, there is more contact and more strength," he said.

Bailly has impressed for United this season

"And like I said, little by little, and with more training under this manager, I hope to improve. Manchester is a nice place, I'm happy here."

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Also See:

• 'Martial has Sevilla offer'
• 'Martial needs time to improve'
• Jose: Pogba is best midfielder
• Mkhitaryan: My best ever goal

Who should Liverpool sign in the January transfer window?

Jurgen Klopp watches his players warm up ahead of the match at Anfield

Who should Liverpool sign in the January transfer window? Take a look at their reported targets and have your say here...

Despite Liverpool being the Premier League's entertainers this season - scoring more goals than anyone else so far - they may look to further add to their forward options or improve a defence which has looked vulnerable at times.

Liverpool 4-1 Stoke

But who should they go for? Our interactive tool allows you to share your views on the latest transfer talk. The players below have all been linked with the Reds in the mainstream media recently, but who would YOU like to see them sign?

Christian Pulisic - Borussia Dortmund have issued a hands-off warning to Liverpool, insisting Pulisic will not be sold.

Quincy Promes - The Liverpool Echo report the Reds are tracking the Netherlands international with a view to signing the Spartak Moscow forward in January.

Virgil van Dijk - The Daily Star claim Liverpool face competition from Paris Saint-Germain for Southampton's gifted centre-back.

Everton 0-1 Liverpool highlights

Geoffrey Kondogbia - Liverpool are leading the race to sign £18.5m-rated Inter Milan midfielder, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

Mahmoud Dahoud - Jurgen Klopp is preparing a £25m January move for the Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder, reports German newspaper Die Express.

Moussa Dembele - The Celtic star is on Liverpool's radar, according to the Daily Mirror, with a substantial fee plus add-ons in the offing.

Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool are aiming for title glory this season, but cannot be weighed down by the failures of previous generations.

Andre Silva - According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Liverpool sent scouts to watch Silva in action during Porto's 1-0 win over Braga on earlier in the month.

Sardar Azmoun - The Rostov midfielder has had this to say on his future: "Ajax, PSV or Liverpool? I have not received any offers. If there are, then I'm going to take my time to look into it, whether it's come from Liverpool or other clubs."

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Gabriel Barbosa - Out of favour at Inter Milan, The Sun are reporting Liverpool are leading a long line of suitors monitoring the 20-year-old's situation

Jonathan Tah - The Daily Mirror insist that Jurgen Klopp is considering going back to his homeland to bid for the Bayer Leverkusen defender.

Alexandre Lacazette has long been touted as a Premier League target

Inaki Williams - The 22-year-old has a buyout clause of £45m at the San Mames which Liverpool are believed to be willing to meet.

Niklas Sule - The Liverpool Echo have insisted that a defender of Sule's calibre is high priority for Klopp.

Gregoire Defrel - Sassuolo's 25-year-old striker is attracting interest from across Europe, according to the Serie A club's director general - and The Independent claim Liverpool are interested.

Paul-Georges Ntep - The Daily Star are reporting that it is becoming increasingly likely that Ntep will leave Rennes in January, with Liverpool expressing an interest.

Alexandre Lacazette - The Lyon hitman told French publication Le10 Sport earlier this year: "I know it is possible to go to the Premier League, and Lyon is also aware."

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Also See:

• Transfer Centre
• Latest transfer news
• Transfer betting
• Paper Talk

WATCH: Premier League goals and highlights

Watch the Premier League Boxing Day round-up

Watch all the goals from the recent games in the Premier League, including wins for Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool.

To watch the highlights, you will need to create a free Sky iD - you can do that HERE.

The live Premier League action continues on Sky Sports 1 HD with Southampton v Tottenham on Wednesday from 7.30pm.

Tuesday

Liverpool 4-1 Stoke

Liverpool closed the gap on leaders Chelsea to six points after coming from behind to beat Stoke City 4-1 at Anfield on Tuesday.

Liverpool 4-1 Stoke

Boxing Day

Watford 1-1 Crystal Palace

Troy Deeney scored his 100th goal for Watford to earn his side a 1-1 draw and deny Sam Allardyce a winning start as Crystal Palace manager.

Watford 1-1 Crystal Palace

Arsenal 1-0 West Brom

Arsenal ended 2016 on a high as Olivier Giroud netted the winner four minutes from time in a 1-0 victory at home to West Brom.

Arsenal 1-0 West Brom

Burnley 1-0 Middlesbrough

Andre Gray ended a 10-game goal drought to hand Burnley a narrow 1-0 Boxing Day victory over Middlesbrough at Turf Moor.

Burnley 1-0 Middlesbrough

Chelsea 3-0 Bournemouth

Chelsea broke their club record for consecutive Premier League victories as they beat Bournemouth 3-0, winning their 12th league game in a row.

Chelsea 3-0 Bournemouth

Leicester 0-2 Everton

Everton beat Leicester City 2-0 at the King Power Stadium to increase the pressure on the struggling Premier League champions.

Leicester 0-2 Everton

Man Utd 3-1 Sunderland

A stunning finish from Henrikh Mkhitaryan was the highlight as Manchester United beat Sunderland 3-1 in the Premier League on Boxing Day.

Man Utd 3-1 Sunderland

Swansea 1-4 West Ham

West Ham piled the pressure on Bob Bradley after they cruised to a 4-1 win over Swansea at the Liberty Stadium.

Swansea 1-4 West Ham

Hull 0-3 Man City

Manchester City scored three second-half goals to beat Hull 3-0 at the KCOM Stadium and go second in the Premier League table.

Hull 0-3 Man City

Also See:

• Zlatan-Pogba combo key for Utd
• Giroud's important role
• Best Boxing Day stats
• Get Sky iD here