Bailly in new contract talk with Manchester United: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Manchester United are in talks with Eric Bailly over a new contract, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed.

Bailly, a £30million signing from Villarreal in 2016, has 15 months remaining on his existing deal at Old Trafford.

The Ivorian made only his 100th appearance for United in the Europa League draw with AC Milan on Thursday, and Solskjaer blames Bailly's combative style for the number of injuries he picks up.

'We have started talking to Eric and his representatives so Eric is keeping fitter for longer and you can see his performances as well,' said the United boss.

'I've been very happy with him. His playing style has made him lose too many games because a hundred games, that's not enough for the period that he has been here. He is getting more and more robust.'

Bailly has grown frustrated over his first-team opportunities, with Solskjaer tending to prefer Victor Lindelof as a central defensive partner for Harry Maguire in the bigger games, and the Swede is expected to return for Sunday's visit of West Ham to Old Trafford.

Jesse Lingard will be unavailable for the Hammers due to the terms of his loan move from United, but Solskjaer has been impressed at the impact he has made on David Moyes's side.

He added: 'For Jesse it's really worked out, for David it's really worked out, and for us as a club as well.

'We know that Jesse's position is a No.10 and we have got Bruno (Fernandes) there, so for me it was a no-brainer to get Jesse a chance to prove himself and play some football again. He has been really bright for them and he is finally back to himself.'

On Moyes's achievement in guiding West Ham to fifth place, Solskjaer said: 'They have been brilliant. We played them in the FA Cup not so long ago as well and went to extra-time. It was a tight even game.

'He has got players who score goals, they are creative, they defend really well, they are really difficult at set-plays.

'David has done a tremendous job that we know he is capable of and I am very happy for him. We know it is a big game for us. It's maybe too far ahead to Manchester City so we need to consolidate our place in the top two or three hopefully.'