Top 5: Premier League Players of the Weekend

3. Eric Bailly (Manchester United)

After his excellent man-of-the-match debut performance against Leicester City in the Community Shield last weekend, the former Villarreal defender collected another bottle of champagne after a commanding performance in Manchester United’s 3-1 win at AFC Bournemouth.

The 22-year-old showed last week he wasn’t afraid to put in a tackle and seemed to take great pride in clattering, albeit fairly, the Bournemouth front line as he thwarted the Cherries to just three shots on goal.

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

The late consolation scored by full-back Adam Smith had very little to do with Bailly, as he continued to lead the back four, despite his relative inexperience and age.

Assured and composed in possession, the Ivory Coast international is already beginning to justify the £30m price tag which saw Jose Mourinho make the reigning African Cup of Nations champion his first signing at Old Trafford.

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