By Daily sports on July 15, 2021
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has jokingly told Ivorian duo Eric Bailly and Amad Diallo that they must return to Old Trafford with Olympic medals.
The pair will miss out on the Red Devils’ pre-season campaign as they join up with their Ivory Coast teammates to participate in the men’s football competition at Tokyo 2020.
Bailly is one of three overage players allowed in the U-24 squad, the others being Franck Kessie and Max Gradel, while Diallo’s pace and dribbling make him one of the most exciting players heading to the Games.
Explaining his decision to release the pair, Solskjaer told United’s website: “I think everyone, when they grow up, watches the Olympics and can see Usain Bolt or Ryan Giggs. I saw him play in the Olympics [for Great Britain].
“When your country calls you up, I think I can’t stand in the way of that boyhood dream being fulfilled.
“Of course, Eric is over-age, but I think they can see the value of him and that’s why they have brought him in.
“Amad is a young, exciting prospect. It’ll be good to see them. It’ll be their pre-season, but they’ve got to come back with a medal. We need a nice feel about the place when they come back!”
Ivory Coast will face Group D opponents Saudi Arabia, Brazil and Germany on July 22, 25 and 28 respectively. (African Football)
•PHOTO: Eric Bailly
Source Daily sports
Posted July 15, 2021
You may also like...
Leeds want Aina as Firpo replacement
West Ham Subdue Spurs To Climb Into Champions...
Man Utd Open Talks with Rashford over New...
Osimhen wants to join Chelsea – Mikel
CAF awards: Ajibade, Nnadozie, Edo Queens bag nominations...
Scolari leads Palmeiras to Brazilian title

Plymouth striker Oseni shocked by Nigeria call-up
African athletes possess NFL traits in abundance — Umenyiora
AFCON 2027: Udeze warns Chelle not to underestimate opponents
Joshua, Fury in contract stalemate
Agunbiade emerges Nigeria’s lone survivor at WTT Lagos
Nigeria call-up boosted my confidence – Alebiosu
First Eagles invite thrills Rangers’ Oputa
270 athletes begin journey to stardom in Edo
Itauma unfazed by Usyk threat
Arsenal win English Premier League after Man City draw at Bournemouth
AFCON qualifiers: Nigeria face Madagascar, Tanzania, G’Bissau
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026: Dreaming of Olise, Musiala, Eze, Saka - Priceless Jewels Nigeria Lost to Treachery
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,794 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,115 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,071 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,636 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,551 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,455 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,288 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,849 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,036 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,532 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,961 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,406 views)