---
title: "Bailly: “I signed for United because of Mourinho”"
canonical: "https://readmanutd.com/2016/07/31/bailly-i-signed-for-united-because-of-mourinho/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
section: "Man Utd News"
published: "2016-07-31T07:42:29Z"
modified: "2016-07-31T07:43:40Z"
---

# Bailly: “I signed for United because of Mourinho”

Eric Bailly has revealed that he rejected Manchester City this summer in favour of a move to Manchester United.

In an interview with [The Sunday Times](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bailly-city-called-but-i-chose-united-because-of-mourinho-8ms072d23), the Ivorian defender, who joined the Reds in a £30 million move from Spanish side Villarreal, revealed that the presence of José Mourinho was key to his decision to join the red half of Manchester.

The 22-year-old also revealed that fellow countryman Didier Drogba’s advice proved crucial to his decision. Drogba, of course, was a key player for Chelsea during Mourinho’s first spell with the Blues.

![Lintao Zhang/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmanutd.com/readmanutd/2016/07/579468438.jpg)

He said:

> *I signed for United because I like Mourinho, it’s as simple as that. I wanted to play for someone that works very hard.*
>
> *I prefer Mourinho in part because of Didier Drogba, who Mourinho has worked with. I know Didier from the Ivory Coast, he is a friend, and he spoke to me and told me, ‘Jose did this for me, Jose did that for me.’*
>
> *Once Jose spoke to me and Didier gave me advice, I knew straight away that I wanted to play for him.*

![Chris Brunskill/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmanutd.com/readmanutd/2016/07/576703556.jpg)

Bailly said that the blue half of Manchester made an approach for him and his international teammate Yaya Toure also tried to sway him into making a move to the Etihad Stadium:

> *I didn’t speak to Pep Guardiola but the second \[assistant\] manager called me. Yaya also called me and said I should come to City.*

The new addition has quietly impressed during United’s pre-season preparations, starting all three pre-season matches under Mourinho and the Ivorian international looks set to partner Chris Smalling when the season gets underway in two weeks’ time against Bournemouth.