Man Utd defender Bailly moves to Marseille on loan-to-buy deal

Manchester United have confirmed the departure of defender Eric Bailly, who has joined Marseille on a season-long loan with the potential for a permanent transfer.

The Ivory Coast centre-back has swapped the Premier League for Ligue 1 on a deal that will initially run to the end of the 2022-23 season.

But Marseille will have the option to buy the 28-year-old before the campaign concludes.

According to reports, that will become a €6million (£5m) obligation if Bailly meets an appearances criteria and Marseille qualify for the Champions League.

Bailly arrived at Old Trafford from Villarreal in 2016 and was a member of United s EFL Cup and Europa League-winning squad under Jose Mourinho in 2017.

However, various injury struggles, as well as the…