Eric Bailly's Man Utd fears emerge after losing faith with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Eric Bailly fears Manchester United's contract offer is merely an attempt by the club to hike up his transfer fee ahead of the summer window.

Bailly has played second fiddle to Victor Lindelof since returning from long-standing injury problems - despite some assured performances when he has been selected

The 26-year-old centre-back has played just once since the beginning of February, and is said to be weighing up his future under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Bailly is in talks with Red Devils chiefs over a 12-month extension to his current deal, which expires at the end of next season.

But the defender is reportedly considering turning down the contract extension - believing Unitd will try and sell him in the summer.

Sky Sports News quoted an unnamed source saying Bailly was happy in Manchester and would prefer to spend the rest of his career at Old Trafford.

But the source said he fears he will never be given a decent chance under Solskjaer, saying: "He feels that no matter what he does, he will never be first choice for Ole.

"He now realises he's too good and too young to spend his time sitting on the bench."

Bailly joined United from Villarreal for £30million at the start of the 2016-17 season, and has played 100 times in all competitions for the Red Devils.

Having been signed by former Jose Mourinho, he has played just 12 Premier League games under Solskjaer.

His omission from the matchday squad for the trip to AC Milan is said to have been the 'final straw' - despite the fact the defender recently praised Solskjaer for his defensive coaching.

Bailly told Guillem Balague's Pure Football Podcast : "There are many important bits of advice he gives to a centre back, a lot to take on. We learn from him, how to influence the forward, where to be.

"He gives us a lot with advice about that, when to make interceptions, the centre-backs need to be close to the forwards, especially a true striker, little details he tells us."