Eric Bailly and Amad.

Five signs Amad and Bailly are forming a special bond

Friday 19 February 2021 13:17

Manchester United is a family club and new signings are always welcomed with open arms, which Amad has experienced first-hand since joining from Atalanta in January.

All of the players and staff are helping the teenager to settle, but he has received particular support from his fellow Ivory Coast native Eric Bailly – who remembers his own adjustment period very well. 

Here are five signs that Amad and Bailly are forming a special bond…

1: ERIC ROLLED OUT THE RED CARPET
“I know Amad,” said Eric with a smile back in January, once the transfer from Atalanta had been completed. “I speak with him. He’s a young player with good talents but we know it is important to keep calm with any new guys. I think he will do well but it's important to keep calm with him. 

“I am ready to help him. I’m ready to help every player. That, for me, is very important. When I came to this team, I had players with big experience. I remember Rooney, Ibra, Valencia. Players like this helped me when I came. So when young players come, it’s very important to help these guys.”
Amad completed his transfer to United in January and immediately had a mentor in Bailly.
2: AMAD APPRECIATED THAT HELP
“Absolutely, Eric will be a definite reference point for me,” explained our new signing in his first interview as a United player. “I’ve actually already been in touch with him over the last few months and we’ve been chatting. I’ll be asking him for advice and will be listening to all he says.”
3: TRAVEL BUDDIES
Having impressed with the Under-23s and in first-team training, Amad was named in our 22-man travelling squad for the Real Sociedad game and that could be a daunting experience for any youngster. But there were few signs of nerves from our new no.19 as he took a place on the plane next to his friend Eric, before posting the below selfie on social media - which went down well with fans. 
Bailly kept a close eye on Amad during his first European adventure with the club this week.
4: THERE FOR THE BIG MOMENTS 
With United leading 3-0 after 83 minutes in Turin, the boss sent our January signing into the action to make his much-anticipated United debut and, after performing well, Amad received plenty of pats on the back at full-time. Who was among the first to congratulate him? You guessed it – Eric Bailly. 
Bailly congratulated Amad on a solid performance after making his first-team debut on Thursday.
5: SOCIAL MEDIA SUPPORT
Amad documented his special night on Instagram by posting four match-action images alongside the date and a quick look at the comments section shows Bailly is at the top, with a message that translates to “congratulations little brother”. A replay of “thank you my mentor” says everything you need to know about this burgeoning, heart-warming relationship between our two Ivorian stars. 

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