Eric Bailly to Manchester United: Latest Transfer Details, Reaction and More

Manchester United have completed the signing of Eric Bailly from Villarreal, marking Jose Mourinho's first capture as Red Devils boss.

The switch was finalised on Wednesday, with United confirming the 22-year-old has penned a four-year deal at Old Trafford, subject to a work permit:

"It is a dream come true to be joining Manchester United," the player told the club's official website. "To play football at the highest level is all I have ever wanted to do. 

"I want to progress to be the best that I can be and I believe working with [Mourinho] will help me develop in the right way and at the right club."

The new United boss had his say on the transfer too, per Simon Stone of BBC Sport:

According to the Guardian, United will pay around £25 million for the player.

Bailly joins United with a brilliant reputation, having emerged as one of La Liga’s finest centre-backs during the 2015-16 season. Here is a glimpse at the kind of qualities that have prompted the Red Devils to spend big on his acquisition:

Mourinho has always been someone to place great emphasis on the defensive structure of a team and been a brilliant judge when it comes to assessing players that’ll make up his back four. So United fans have every right to be excited about Bailly.

He’s the type of dynamic defender the Red Devils lacked for spells under Louis van Gaal last season. While La Liga isn’t a division full of strapping centre-forwards, it was rare to see the Ivory Coast international losing out when it came to physical battles; he’s strong, very quick and a footballer who evidently loves to defend.

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Bleacher Report’s Rob Blanchette thinks Bailly will be a good partner for Chris Smalling, who was United’s best defender last season:

Indeed, Daley Blind filled that role for long spells. While the Dutchman did well, there was always a sense that United were vulnerable without a physical presence at the base of their side. It’s easy to see why they’ve spent big money to bring the Villarreal man in.

As is the case when it comes to any young defender, there are areas in which he needs to improve. Bailly can dally in possession at times, something that cost his former club on occasion. Additionally, he picked up nine yellow cards and one red in La Liga last term.

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AFP’s Kieran Canning thinks the Ivorian is capable of becoming a top player, although he is unsure whether he’s worth the amount paid by the Red Devils to bring him in:

Mourinho is a manager who will protect those raw facets of the player’s game. Bailly will not be asked to stride forward and distribute the ball as he may have done for a Van Gaal side. He will be allowed to focus primarily on defending and will be well protected by the Portuguese’s tactical plan. Provided that is his focus, he’ll be able to make an immediate impression.

Of course, the Red Devils will want to see Bailly make refinements in other areas of his game as he becomes accustomed to the Premier League. You can't imagine a manager more adept than Mourinho to expedite that process.