Eric Bailly is an “extraordinary player” and deserves better luck than he has experienced at Manchester United, says Valencia boss Marcelino.
The current coach of Los Che worked with the Ivory Coast international defender at Villarreal prior to his £30 million ($38m) move to Old Trafford in 2016.
Bailly departed Spanish football with a growing reputation and was expected to star in England as he approached his peak.
Time is still on his side at 24 years of age, but injuries and inconsistent form have blighted his time in the Premier League.
Marcelino said of those struggles as he prepares for a Champions League reunion with a familiar face on Wednesday: "I was so lucky to have Eric as a footballer, as a player.